According to theloadstar.com, container shipping lines are deploying six newly delivered vessels directly onto the Asia–South America trade lane — including the CMA CGM Copper and Maersk Tokyo — as import volumes surge across Latin America.
Newbuilds assigned to high-demand lanes
Of the six confirmed newbuilding deliveries reported in early July 2026, two vessels were immediately allocated to Asia–South America services. The CMA CGM Copper, a 13,136 teu methanol-enabled vessel built by HD Hyundai Samho, entered service on the Asia–West Coast South America ACSA 1 service — a joint offering operated by CMA CGM, COSCO, and OOCL. It joins its sister ship, CMA CGM Platinum, on the same route. Alphaliner noted the vessel series is particularly well-suited for South American trade due to its refrigerated capacity: each ship features 2,100 reefer plugs.
The Maersk Tokyo, an 8,900 teu vessel ordered by Japanese tonnage provider Nissen Kaiun and built at Japan Marine United (now part of Imabari Shipbuilding), was chartered long-term to Maersk Line and deployed on Maersk’s Asia–West Coast South America AC 3 service.
Strong import growth drives capacity expansion
MB Shipbrokers reported that South American containerized import volumes maintained robust growth throughout 2026. From January to April 2026, total imports rose 9.1% year-on-year versus the same period in 2025. Growth accelerated further in April 2026, with imports increasing 10.5% year-on-year — confirming a strong start to Q2 2026 after a 8.6% year-on-year rise in Q1.
China was the primary driver: shipments from Greater China rose by nearly 20% year-on-year and accounted for 40% of South America’s total import volume during the period. Brazil remained the region’s largest import market, posting a 14% year-on-year increase in imports over the first four months of 2026 and representing 26% of the region’s total import volumes.
Broader newbuilding activity reflects strategic routing
While ultra-large vessel deliveries remain sparse — reflecting reduced ordering activity between 2022 and 2023 — other newbuilds illustrate targeted deployment strategies. The 24,000 teu OOCL Wisdom, built by Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering, is the world’s largest methanol dual-fuel container ship and will join OOCL’s Asia–North Europe service. Meanwhile, the 16,188 teu CMA CGM Berenice, delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard, heads to CMA CGM’s Asia–Mediterranean service.
A smaller vessel, the 1,208 teu feeder Mila Green, built by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry, will serve intra-Mediterranean routes under JSV Logistics. Additionally, the reefer vessel Snow Flake will be operated by Sweden’s Cool Carriers for global fruit transport.
Source: The Loadstar
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
