en.Wedoany.com Reported - Shipping lines are increasing capacity on Asia-South America routes, as confirmed by the latest vessel deliveries.
Among six known deliveries, two vessels—the Maersk Tokyo and CMA CGM Copper—will be deployed on Asia-South America routes.
The 13,136 TEU CMA CGM Copper, delivered by HD Hyundai Samho, is the second-to-last of 12 methanol-enabled sister ships ordered by CMA CGM. It has been assigned to the ACSA 1 service on the Asia-West Coast South America route, jointly operated by the French shipping line with Cosco and OOCL, joining its sister ship CMA CGM Platinum. Alphaliner noted that the series offers significant reefer capacity with 2,100 plugs, making it well-suited for South American trade.
The 8,900 TEU Maersk Tokyo, ordered by Japanese tonnage provider Nissen Kaiun from Japan Marine United (now part of Imabari Shipbuilding) and long-term chartered to Maersk Line, has been deployed on the Danish operator's AC 3 service on the Asia-West Coast South America route.
A report from MB Shipbrokers last week showed that South American container imports maintained strong growth throughout 2026. From January to April 2026, total imports increased by 9.1% year-on-year compared to the same period in 2025. After an 8.6% year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2026, imports accelerated further in April, rising 10.5% year-on-year, confirming a strong start to the second quarter of 2026. Import growth was primarily driven by cargo from China, which increased nearly 20% year-on-year. Greater China remains the largest source of exports to South America, accounting for 40% of the region's total imports. Brazil continues to be a key driver of South American import demand, with imports rising 14% year-on-year from January to April. In the first four months of 2026, Brazil accounted for 26% of the region's total imports.
Deliveries of ultra-large vessels remain slow, reflecting the decline in such orders from 2022 to 2023. The only large vessel launched in the past week was the 24,000 TEU OOCL Wisdom. Built by Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering, the OOCL Wisdom is the largest methanol dual-fuel vessel and will be assigned to OOCL's Asia-North Europe service. Another vessel, the 16,188 TEU CMA CGM Berenice, delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard, will be deployed on CMA CGM's Asia-Mediterranean service. A feeder vessel, the 1,208 TEU Mila Green, delivered by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry, will be operated by JSV Logistics on intra-Mediterranean routes. Finally, a reefer vessel, the Snow Flake, will be operated by Sweden's Cool Carriers for global fruit transportation.
