Recognising the growing market potential in China as well as better meeting customers' needs and improving operating efficiency, Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) and COSCO Container Lines, Ltd(COSCO) announced that by inviting Lloyd Triestino (LT) as a new partner, the two lines will upgrade the Far East to South Africa and East Coast of South America service (ESA), a joint service currently operated by Evergreen and COSCO.

By deploying one additional vessel, these three lines are able to extend their current port coverage to Shanghai, Ningbo and Yantian.

Effective from late April this year, the upgraded ESA service will deploy eleven vessels. Six of these will be provided by EMC, while COSCO and LT will contribute three and two respectively. The port rotation of this 77-day round trip is as follows:

Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Yantian, Singapore, Durban, Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santos, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Shanghai.

The announce has been done after strong rumours in market about the immediate entering in the Far East - South America trade of a new player, China Shipping who is expected in the short time to start a weekly service.

China Shipping has reported substantial 2004 growth in its most important trade lanes, with levels of up to 47.6% in Asia-Australia - 57.0% in their volume in the Asia - Middle East & Europe trade.

Until today, rumours from long time ago, about China Shipping plans to enter next May into the Far East - ECSA trade. New service plan to start with around 2.500 TEUS average, with China Shipping (3 ships), CMA CGM (5) and Maruba (2).