New Ships Boost Capacity on Strong Asia-Louth America Route
Carriers MSC and CMA CGM deploy new vessels to the Far East-South America east coast trade lane, where spot freight rates have nearly tripled year-on-year
The Asia to South America east coast shipping lane continues to attract new vessel capacity as spot rates hold at elevated levels. Carriers MSC and CMA CGM have taken delivery of new ships destined for this trade, where Shanghai-South America rates averaged $8,555 per teu on September 11.
Newbuilding deliveries are resuming after a summer slowdown. The Far East-South America east coast route is a primary beneficiary of this fresh tonnage.
MSC Expands Carioca Service Fleet
MSC recently took delivery of two 10,300 teu sister ships, the MSC Leticia X and the MSC Clelia X. The vessels were built by Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard. They will join MSC's Far East-South America east coast Carioca service.
Shipping analyst Alphaliner notes these are the third and fourth high-reefer vessels of this series on the service. The Carioca service currently uses a mixed fleet ranging from 7,900 to 12,200 teu. Construction of these two LNG dual-fuelled ships finished nearly a year ahead of schedule. MSC ordered ten ships in this series in August 2023 for $130 million each. Zhoushan Changhong is scheduled to deliver them to MSC this year and in 2027.
CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd Add New Ships
CMA CGM has also received a new vessel for the same trade lane. The carrier took delivery of the 8,454 teu CMA CGM Atlantic from New Times Shipbuilding. This ship is the first of four sister vessels commissioned by tonnage provider Eastern Pacific Shipping for long-term charter to CMA CGM.
The French carrier will also charter ten similar sister ships commissioned by Capital Ship Management at the same shipyard. Those vessels are slated for delivery between late 2026 and mid-2028.
In other deliveries noted by the source, Hapag-Lloyd took delivery of the 8,258 teu Tinos Express. This is the second of seven sister ships chartered from Danaos Corporation. Hapag-Lloyd will deploy this vessel to the Gemini Cooperation's transpacific service, not the South America lane.
Congestion, Not Cargo Growth, Drives High Rates
Freight rates on the Shanghai to South America corridor have surged. They have nearly tripled compared to the same period last year. The strong rates are largely attributed to port congestion in both Asia and South America, rather than significant cargo growth.
Container Trade Statistics data for July shows relatively stable volumes. South America's exports were 806,366 teu, almost identical to the 805,487 teu recorded in July 2025. Imports totaled 1.2 million teu, a slight increase from 1.15 million teu in the same month a year prior.
The source also reported that Yang Ming took delivery of the 15,500 teu YM Weight. This vessel will be deployed on the carrier's Far East-Mediterranean service.
