Hapag-Lloyd drops out of Brazil/U.S. Gulf loop

Hapag-Lloyd drops out of Brazil/U.S. Gulf loop    Hapag-Lloyd said last week it is dropping out of a loop it jointly operates with Mediterranean Shipping Co. between Brazil and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
   The service, which the German line dubs BX2 and MSC calls String 2, has operated with seven vessels (four from MSC, two from Hapag-Lloyd and one unallocated) with an average capacity of 3,158 TEUs, according to American Shipper affiliate ComPair Data.
   Hapag-Lloyd said the service will be phased out as of Dec. 24, but it's not immediately clear whether MSC will continue operating the service on its own or with a new service partner. MSC didn't immediately return an American Shipper request for comment.
   The rotation for the String 2/BX2 loop is Veracruz, Altamira, Houston, New Orleans, Caucedo, Puerto Cabello, Suape, Vitoria, Navegantes, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Pecem, Caucedo and Veracruz.
   Hapag-Lloyd said it will provide service between U.S. Gulf, Gulf of Mexico and Brazil ports via its GS1 service, which it jointly operates with CSAV and Libra-Montemar. That service, according to ComPair Data, is operated with seven vessels (five from Hapag-Lloyd and one each from CSAV and Libra-Montemar) with an average capacity of 4,228 TEUs. Maersk Line is a slot buyer.
   The GS1 rotation is Veracruz, Altamira, Houston, New Orleans, Caucedo, Suape, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio Grande, Navegantes, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Caucedo and Veracruz.