In an important development for international trade, China Ocean Shipping Company has launched a weekly service connecting its ports with BRICS countries in eastern South America. The inaugural vessel for this route is a substantial 62,000-ton multi-purpose pulp carrier, which began its operations at Nansha Port in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Monday.

This vessel is operated by COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers and is set to transport 660 new energy vehicles alongside other container cargo. The move underscores China's bolstering of trading ties with Latin America, reflecting its broader strategy to enhance its presence in global markets.

Since its inception in September 2023, the shipping route from Guangzhou to South America has been pivotal for logistics, especially in linking with key ports such as the Port of Vitoria in Brazil. The upcoming voyage marks a significant enhancement in the service, which aims to optimize the efficiency of the entire trading route.

Key among the upgrades is an increase in service frequency, moving from a bi-weekly to a weekly schedule. This change is designed to ensure faster turnover rates and adherence to precise shipping schedules, factors critical in the fast-paced realm of international trade.

To support this enhanced service, COSCO Shipping has made a substantial investment in its fleet, deploying over 40 multi-purpose pulp carriers. This includes 20 vessels from a 77,000-ton series used as primary ships and an additional 22 vessels from the 62,000-ton series available for backup, thereby ensuring stable shipping capacity.

The vessels serving this route will make critical stops at several major ports within China, such as Qingdao, Taicang, Ningbo, and Nansha, while in South America they will accommodate ports like Salvador, Vitoria, and Sepetiba. This strategically designed route will allow for the timely arrival of goods to significant South American destinations within approximately 30 days.

Furthermore, the new vessels are equipped with specialized features, including fixed refrigerated slots on the deck aimed at the safe and efficient transport of diverse container types. This design innovation is expected to enhance the trade of cold storage goods from South America.

Products such as pork, beef, lamb, white shrimp, salmon, and squid are anticipated to be among the goods transported, targeting distribution networks within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which is experiencing rising demand for such commodities.

Reflecting the growing economic ties between the regions, the trade volume between China and Latin America surpassed $500 billion for the first time in 2024. Since 2012, China has established itself as the second-largest trading partner for Latin America, with Brazil, Chile, and Peru recognizing China as their largest trading partner.