Aliança announced that it is adding two chartered vessels to its Andes service fleet starting in November, and expanding its port coverage in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, and Chile. The Aliança Atlântico and Aliança Pacífico, (1,139 TEUs/230 reefer plugs) join the Aliança Andes and Aliança Patagônia (1,016 TEUs/136 plugs).

The Brazilian-flag carrier launched the Andes service In April 2004, with fortnightly fixed day calls at Santos, Montevideo, Valparaiso, Lirquen, Ushuaia, Puerto Deseado, Puerto Madryn and Paranaguá.

Responding to market needs, the expanded service will now operate on a two loops weekly concept, adding strategic ports including Callao, Antofagasta, Bahia Blanca, Mar Del Plata and Ilo.

Loop 01 (Aliança Atlântico and Aliança Pacífico):
Santos - Montevideo - Valparaiso - Lirquen - Ushuaia - Bahia Blanca - Mar Del Plata - Paranaguá - Santos.

Loop 02 (Aliança Andes and Aliança Patagônia):
Montevideo - Valparaiso - Callao - Ilo (monthly)/Antofagasta - Puerto Deseado - Puerto Madryn - Montevideo.

"Despite currently high charter and bunker international rates, we are confident that the service will be successful since it meets customer needs for more capacity, reliable quality fixed-day service and very competitive transit times", says Alianca Managing Director Julian Thomas. "Our goal is to offer shippers an effective alternative to truck transportation, and help shippers of refrigerated cargoes to expand markets. The service will also help expand feeder links to main-route services to and from South America/ South Africa, Asia, East Coast North America, and Europe."