Possibilities exist for changes in present distribution of participants in this trade which could end as from next couple of months, with the incorporation of Crowley in the same joint service with Aliança and Columbus, having in this way the three companies of the Hamburg Süd parent group operating in the same joint. Case this possibility arrives to an end, it will result in a substantial capacity reduction of the trade.

Main joint and independent services operating today in USEC / ECSA services are:

- Columbus, Aliança, P&O Nedlloyd, CSAV, Maersk Sealand, Grupo Libra

- Crowley, APL, Lykes, Evergreen

- Senator, Hanjin, Montemar, Zim, CMA CGM

- Mediterranean Shipping Co.

The six vessels which today operates Crowley with Lykes, APL and Evergreen with an average capacity between 2.400 and 2.600 TEU each should be withdrawn from the service. As both APL and Evergreen are not participating with own vessels in this service, it is very well possible that both of them will follow Crowley into the new mega joint. They are actually having calls at Buenos Aires, Brazilian Ports, Puerto Cabello, Philadelphia, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Jacksonville, and Miami.

The joint between Columbus, Aliança, P&O Nedlloyd, CSAV, Maersk Sealand and Libra operate today with two different strings. One weekly with calls at Buenos Aires, Brazilian Ports, Puerto Cabello, Freeport, New York, Norfolk, Charleston and Miami with six vessels average capacity 2.400 TEU.

The other weekly with five vessels average capacity between 1.200 and 1.600 TEU with calls at New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Savannah, Miami, Paranaguá, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Fortaleza not calling Buenos Aires.

Hamburg Süd group announced the incorporation in the service this year and beginning of 2.002 of the six new vessels with a capacity of 3.700 TEU each,(with capacity for 800 reefer containers) built at Korea in replacement of present units of 2.400 TEUS.