MSC to launch Asia–South America service with focus on fresh fruit exports

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced on Wednesday (July 31) the launch of its new Alpaca service, a regular and independent maritime route connecting the Far East to the West Coast of South America, set to begin in September 2025. The company aims to offer ultra-fast transit times between the ports of Ningbo (China), Busan (South Korea), and Callao (Peru), with strategic stops in Chile and strengthened connections to Bolivia’s logistics corridors.

In addition to supporting general trade between the two regions, the Alpaca service has been specifically designed for Chile’s cherry export season — one of the country’s most valuable agricultural products. During the harvest period, the new service will also operate under the Cherry Express model, MSC’s specialized solution for transporting high-value fresh fruit to Asian markets.

MSC notes that the Alpaca will feature its iReefer technology, which enables advanced temperature control, real-time traceability, and enhanced cold chain integrity throughout the logistics process. The service is expected to enhance speed and efficiency for exporters seeking to minimize shelf time and deliver fresher products.

The full rotation of the new route will be:
Ningbo (CN) – Busan (KR) – Callao (PE) – Arica (CL) – Iquique (CL) – San Antonio (CL) – Nansha (CN) – Hong Kong (CN) – Ningbo (CN).

With over 675 offices worldwide, MSC encourages exporters and importers to contact their local teams for more information on the new operation. Additional details can also be found on the company’s independent network page.