A new shipping service connecting the U.S. East Coast with South America will launch on March 22, offering businesses improved efficiency and cost savings for trade with Latin American markets.
Key Features of the ANS Service
The Atlantic North-South Service (ANS), a joint operation by Evergreen Marine, NYK Line, Hanjin Shipping, and HMM, will deploy six vessels with 2,100 TEU capacity each. The rotation includes major ports along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and key South American destinations:
- U.S. Ports: Norfolk, New York, Savannah, Miami
- Latin American Ports: Caucedo (Dominican Republic), Santos, Navegantes, Rio de Janeiro, and Vitoria (Brazil)
The 42-day roundtrip service aims to address longstanding logistics bottlenecks in Latin American trade routes while capitalizing on growing market opportunities in the region.
Operational Advantages
Enhanced Efficiency
The optimized route design reduces transit times between manufacturing centers and consumer markets. Partner carriers bring established operational expertise to maintain schedule reliability and streamline customs processes at all ports of call.
Cost Reduction Measures
Miami Port Assistant Director Kevin T. Lynskey noted that ongoing infrastructure upgrades, particularly deepwater dredging projects, will soon accommodate larger vessels. Projections indicate potential cost savings of 30-50% per container slot when comparing 8,000 TEU vessels to current 4,800 TEU capacity ships.
Market Expansion Potential
The service provides direct access to Brazil's industrial and agricultural centers through multiple port calls, including Santos (South America's busiest container port) and Vitoria (a key hub for steel exports).
Strategic Implications
The ANS route arrives as U.S.-Latin American trade shows steady growth. Recent port investments along the service's rotation aim to handle increased cargo volumes while reducing congestion-related delays.
Notable infrastructure developments include:
- Miami's channel deepening to 52 feet
- Savannah's ongoing harbor expansion
- Brazilian port modernization initiatives
The consortium's shared vessel deployment model allows for optimized capacity utilization across seasonal demand fluctuations. Industry analysts suggest this cooperative approach may set a precedent for future niche trade lane developments.