On 6 March 2011, the container ship HANJIN CHENNAI docked in the Port of Hamburg for the first time within the scope of the new joint service shared by HANJIN, UASC, COSCO and CCNI between Northern Europe and the east coast of South America.

The new ESE service will see six 2500-TEU ships deployed on a weekly basis between Hamburg and the Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos (northbound and southbound) and Itajai.

Mr YK Song, managing director of Hanjin Shipping Europe Regional Headquarters, emphasised the significance of the additional service line for the company in declaring, “Our customers operate globally and therefore we have to provide them with diversified, global services. Hamburg is and will remain an important hub for both our company and our customers.” The new service represents a further stage in the shipping line’s diversification plans and is a response to the change in global cargo flows and markets.

In 2010, the flow of container traffic cargo between Hamburg and the east coast of South America increased to 260,000 TEU, a rise of 10.6 percent over the previous year. Brazil alone accounted for container traffic totalling over 189,000 TEU. Brazil’s economy is continuing to generate increased export trade and with the transhipment of around 5.6 million tons has consolidated the country’s position as Hamburg’s third most important shipping freight trading partner. In terms of imports, shipping freight brought in from Brazil via Hamburg primarily involves iron ore, oilseeds, raw coffee and meat, while exports via Hamburg mainly encompass fertilizers, vehicles, machinery, plant parts and chemical products.

In connection with services between northern Europe and the east coast of South America, HANJIN had previously booked cargo space on the River Plate Express between Hamburg South and Aliança. Together with the “K” line (Condor Express), Compania Chilena de Navegacion Interoceanica (CCNI) served South America’s west coast from Hamburg. COSCO has only actively participated in traffic to South America from Asia to date, while South America is a totally new area of operation for UASC.

Highlighting the market significance of import and export traffic between Hamburg and Brazil, under the banner “Hafen Hamburg/Port of Hamburg” and in cooperation with member companies, Port of Hamburg Marketing will be presenting the diversity of services offered by the Port of Hamburg at the INTERMODAL SOUTH AMERICA trade fair in São Paulo from 5-7 April.