Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM Launch Weekly Asia to Brazil Service From September

Hapag-Lloyd, in partnership with ZIM, is launching a new Asia to South America East Coast service designated AS3, aimed at strengthening container connectivity between Asia and Brazil.

Operations begin on 13 September 2026 as a weekly fixed sailing. The full port rotation runs Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Yantian, Rio Grande, Paranagua, Itajai, Santos and Rio de Janeiro. The inaugural westbound sailing departs Shanghai on 14 September, with the first eastbound departure from Rio Grande set for 21 October.

The port coverage is the substance of the offering. Chinese exporters gain a choice of five loading ports closer to their cargo origins, while Brazilian coverage extends beyond the main hub of Santos to include Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua and Itajai. The inclusion of Rio Grande opens further network access to the Rio de la Plata basin, broadening inland penetration across the southern cone.

AS3 will not replace any existing service from either partner. Both the AS2 and ASE loops remain operational, so the addition represents incremental capacity and frequency on the corridor rather than a redeployment. For freight forwarders and trading houses, the practical effect is more sailing options and a shorter wait for a slot in a trade where space has been tight.

The commercial logic follows the cargo. Trade between China and Brazil has grown steadily on the back of agricultural exports moving east and manufactured goods moving west, and the corridor has drawn repeated capacity additions from several carriers over the past two years. A weekly fixed-day service with five Brazilian calls is aimed at shippers who have been routing through Santos and then trucking inland.

Companies planning Brazilian exports have been advised to monitor booking arrangements, freight rates and confirmed schedules once the service launches, as rotation details on new loops are commonly adjusted in the first sailings.