APL adjusts Asia-South America loop

Ocean carrier APL unveiled a new rotation for the ASA service between Asia, the West Coast of Mexico and the West Coast of South America.    Ocean carrier APL is adjusting its Asia South America (ASA) service between Asia, the West Coast of Mexico and the West Coast of South America.
   The ASA is switching the order of its Shanghai and Kaohsiung calls, resulting in a new rotation of Busan, Kaohsiung, Chiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manzanillo (Mexico), Lazaro Cardenas, Buenaventura, Balboa, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo (Mexico), Yokohama and Busan, according to APL.
   On the westbound portion, changes took effect with voyage 224, in which the APL Scotland departed Balboa Oct. 6. Changes will take effect on the eastbound portion with voyage 225 when the APL Scotland departs Busan.
   “The new eastbound rotation will provide the best transit time in the market for Shanghai to Mexico, North Central America, and Buenaventura, as well as a competitive transit time for the rest of the Latin America region,” APL said in a statement.
   APL’s ASA schedule proforma has been updated to reflect transit times after the revision, while ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting currently illustrates the transit times before the revision. Transit times will change as follows with the new rotation:

• Shanghai to Manzanillo: from 21 days to 15 days
• Shanghai to Lazaro Cardenas: from 23 days to 17 days
• Shanghai to Buenaventura: from 27 days to 21 days
• Shanghai to Balboa: from 30 days to 24 days
• Manzanillo to Shanghai: from 19 days to 25 days
• Lazaro Cardenas to Shanghai: from 20 days to 26 days
• Buenaventura to Shanghai: from 27 days to 33 days
• Balboa to Shanghai: from 24 days to 30 days
• Kaohsiung to Manzanillo: from 16 days to 20 days
• Kaohsiung to Lazaro Cardenas: from 18 days to 22 days
• Kaohsiung to Buenaventura: from 22 days to 26 days
• Kaohsiung to Balboa: from from 25 days to 29 days
• Manzanillo to Kaohsiung: from 24 days to 20 days
• Lazaro Cardenas to Kaohsiung: from 25 days to 21 days
• Buenaventura to Kaohsiung: from 32 days to 28 days
• Balboa to Kaohsiung: from 29 days to 25 days

   APL and NYK provide vessels for the ASA with Hapag-Lloyd and MOL as slot purchasers. The loop operates with eight vessels with an average capacity of 5,838 TEUs, according to BlueWater Reporting.