As an indication of the growing importance of Central American trade with Asia and the U.S. West Coast, Hanjin Shipping (www.hanjin.com) has just launched a new weekly feeder service covering Manzanillo, Mexico, and Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. The service connects the two countries with existing service to the U.S. West Coast, from where traffic may move on to Asia.
Two 1,118 TEU class vessels with 220 reefer plugs will operate on the new service with a port rotation of Long Beach, Manzanillo, Puerto Quetzal, Manzanillo, Ensenada and Long Beach. Previously Hanjin offered Central American service through slot exchange programs.