HAPAG-LLOYD ENTERS CROWDED U.S./BRAZIL TRADE

HAPAG-LLOYD ENTERS CROWDED U.S./BRAZIL TRADE    Hapag-Lloyd Container Line will enter the crowded North America/East Coast of South America container trade at the end of August, under a joint U.S. Gulf/Mexico/East Coast of South America service with CMA CGM.
   Hapag-Lloyd, which also entered the Europe/East Coast of South America market last year, is building up its international liner network.
   For CMA CGM, the launch of a Gulf/East Coast of South America service represents an addition to its existing U.S. East Coast/East Coast of South America link. CMA CGM entered the North America/East Coast of South America container trade in 2001 under a cooperative agreement with the Independent Carriers Alliance of Zim Israel Navigation, Senator Lines, Hanjin Shipping and Cia. Sud Americana de Vapores/Montemar.
   The new Hapag-Lloyd/CMA CGM fortnightly service will call at New Orleans, Houston, Altamira, Veracruz, Kingston, Puerto Cabello, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Sao Francisco, Santos, Fortaleza, Port of Spain, Puerto Cabello, Kingston and New Orleans. The new operation will employ three vessels of about 1,000 TEUs.
   The service will start at the end of August, subject to approval by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission.
   The southbound U.S.-to-East Coast of South America liner trade has been hit by the economic crisis in Argentina and the depreciation of the Brazilian currency, the Real.
   According to ComPairData, the global liner shipping database, 25 ocean carriers already provide services between the U.S. and the East Coast of South America. They are: Alianca, APL, CMA CGM, Columbus Line, Costa Container Lines, Crowley American Transport, Cia Sud Americana de Vapores, Euroatlantic Container Line, Evergreen, Global Lines, Hanjin Shipping, Intermarine, Libra, Lykes Lines, Maersk Sealand, Montemar, Mediterranean Shipping Co., NYK, Oceanbulk Line, P&O Nedlloyd, Safmarine, Senator Lines, TMM Lines, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines and Zim.