Ningbo-Zhoushan Port opens new ALPACA route to South America

The MSC vessel Lome V docks at the Beilun container terminal 3 of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The departure of the MSC vessel Lome V from Beilun container terminal 3 of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on Sept 25 marked the launch of MSC's new ALPACA shipping route connecting Asia with South America's west coast.

The ALPACA service will deploy 10 container ships, each capable of handling 7,000-twenty-foot-equivalent-unit of cargo, linking major ports including Ningbo, Busan, Callao, Arica, Iquique, Nansha, and Hong Kong. This broad network is in response to growing trade demand between Asia and South America, offering faster transit times and improved logistics efficiency.

The route also doubles as MSC's "Cherry Express" during Chile's cherry season, providing stable, high-speed cold chain logistics to support fresh produce exports to Asia. This enhances supply chain reliability for Asian importers and accelerates market access for South American fruit growers.

The new route reflects shifting global trade patterns and rising demand in South America. By utilizing MSC's advanced vessel management, ALPACA significantly reduces delivery times and eases capacity constraints, lowering overall logistics costs.

The route also expands Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's global reach, reinforcing its status as a world-class maritime hub and strengthening its role in international trade.