COSCO SHIPPING Holdings will expand its Far East–East Coast South America (ECSA) network with the launch of the ESA3 service in December 2026, adding a third service on the trade. The new weekly loop is scheduled to make its maiden departure from Ningbo around 17 December, strengthening connections between Asia and Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Cosco Shipping

The company said the additional service would increase capacity for the Brazilian market and sailing frequency to Argentina and Uruguay, supported by feeder connections and inland transport services designed to provide customers with more comprehensive end-to-end logistics options.

Direct Connections to Brazil and the River Plate

ESA3 will focus on eastern and southern China and Southeast Asia at its Asian end, while serving Brazil and the River Plate markets through calls at Santos, Navegantes, Montevideo and Buenos Aires.

The planned port rotation is:

Ningbo – Shanghai – Shekou – Singapore – Santos – Navegantes – Montevideo – Buenos Aires – Navegantes – Santos – Coega – Singapore – Hong Kong – Ningbo.

The Coega and Hong Kong calls remain provisional. Confirmation of the Coega call is expected by the end of October, while the Hong Kong call will be confirmed at a later stage.

The rotation includes calls at Santos and Navegantes both before and after the River Plate ports. COSCO SHIPPING said the service would offer market-leading transit times, although the announcement did not provide a detailed port-to-port transit-time schedule or disclose vessel deployment.

Potential South Africa–Asia Connection for Agricultural and Reefer Cargo

The proposed call at Coega would add a South African connection on the return leg to Asia.

Subject to final confirmation, the call is intended to provide a faster transport option for South African agricultural products and refrigerated cargo bound for Southeast Asia and China. Singapore would be the next scheduled call after Coega, followed by the provisional Hong Kong call and the return to Ningbo.

Feeder Services Extend Coverage Beyond the Mainline Ports

ESA3 will also connect with regional feeder services to expand its reach beyond the ports included in the mainline rotation.

In Brazil, connections via Santos will serve Salvador and Vitória. In the River Plate region, feeder services via Montevideo will provide access to Asunción, extending the network to Paraguay.

These connections form part of the company’s plan to combine the new ocean service with its regional distribution network, offering customers additional routing options across South America.

Inland Transport Links Industrial and Agricultural Markets

The new service will be supported by COSCO SHIPPING’s inland transport products in Brazil and Argentina, connecting maritime gateways with industrial centres and agricultural production areas.

In Brazil, the company offers 193 standard trucking routes, covering major gateways including Santos and Rio de Janeiro. The network serves industrial areas such as São Paulo and Minas Gerais, as well as grain-producing regions including Mato Grosso.

Rail connections between Santos and inland terminals, combined with short-haul trucking at both ends, also support exports of agricultural commodities such as soybeans and corn。

In Argentina, COSCO SHIPPING offers 47 standard trucking routes covering the ports of Buenos Aires and Rosario. These services connect the gateways with Greater Buenos Aires and inland industrial cities such as Córdoba, providing both port-to-door and door-to-port transport.

By combining an additional weekly ocean service with feeder, trucking and rail connections, COSCO SHIPPING Holdings aims to offer customers more frequent sailings and broader coverage across the Asia–South America trade. The company said the launch would support its wider objective of providing reliable schedules, competitive transit times and integrated supply chain services.