# Hapag-Lloyd introduces standalone AMX and ASX services linking Asia and Latin America

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/hapag-lloyd-introduces-standalone-amx-and-asx-services-linking-asia-and-latin-america/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Helena Pierce
- **Published:** 2026-11-06T04:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-11-05T08:36:44+00:00
- **Section:** Services
- **Type:** Service update
- **Topics:** AMX Service, Asia, ASX Service, Brazil, Busan, Container Shipping, HAPAG-LLOYD, Itajaí, Latin America, Liner Services, Mexico, Ningbo, Qingdao, Rio Grande, Santos, Shipping Networks, Transshipment

## Service details

- **Carrier:** Hapag-Lloyd
- **Service:** AMX (Asia–Mexico Express) and ASX (Asia–South America East Coast)
- **Effective from:** AMX: January 2027 (exact date not yet announced)/ ASX: April 2027 (exact date not yet announced)
- **Route / ports:** AMX: Ningbo (China) → Qingdao (China) → Busan (South Korea) → Ensenada (Mexico) → Manzanillo (Mexico) → Lázaro Cárdenas (Mexico). / ASX: Qingdao (China) → Ningbo (China) → Shekou (China) → Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia) → Santos (Brazil) → Itajaí (Brazil) → Rio Grande (Brazil) → Paranaguá (Brazil) → Santos (Brazil) → Singapore → Qingdao (China).

Hapag-Lloyd has announced two standalone container shipping services connecting Asia with Latin America, expanding its independently operated network across the region with the introduction of AMX and ASX in 2027.

The AMX service is scheduled to begin in January, providing weekly connections between major Asian ports and Mexico, with onward transshipment options to destinations along the West Coast of Latin America. The ASX service will follow in April, connecting Asia with Brazil’s principal container gateways and offering feeder connections to the River Plate region.

The new services are intended to provide additional routing options and greater operational control across two important Asia–Latin America trade corridors. Hapag-Lloyd has published the planned port rotations, although further scheduling and operational details remain outstanding.

### AMX to connect Asia and Mexico from January

The new AMX service will operate weekly between Asia and Mexico, linking Chinese and South Korean export gateways with three ports on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

The planned port rotation is:

Ningbo – Qingdao – Busan – Ensenada – Manzanillo – Lázaro Cárdenas.

![Hapag-Lloyd introduces standalone AMX and ASX services linking Asia and Latin America](https://pelavox.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ASX.png-1024x576.webp)

Through transshipment connections in Mexico, the service will also provide access to additional destinations along the West Coast of Latin America.

The deployment will give Hapag-Lloyd a standalone service on the corridor, allowing the carrier to exercise greater direct control over its operating arrangements.

Detailed vessel schedules and transit times have not yet been released, with the company indicating that further information will become available ahead of the January launch.

### ASX to serve Brazil and the East Coast of South America

The ASX service is scheduled for introduction in April 2027, strengthening Hapag-Lloyd’s connections between Asian ports and the East Coast of South America.

Its planned rotation is:

Qingdao – Ningbo – Shekou – Tanjung Pelepas – Santos – Itajaí – Rio Grande – Paranaguá – Santos – Singapore – Qingdao.

![Hapag-Lloyd introduces standalone AMX and ASX services linking Asia and Latin America](https://pelavox.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ASX3.png-1024x576.webp)

The rotation provides direct calls at several Brazilian container ports, while Rio Grande will serve as a connection point for feeder services to Montevideo in Uruguay and Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Both AMX and ASX will include Qingdao, increasing the carrier’s direct coverage from northern China to Latin American markets.

The new ASX operation also comes as Hapag-Lloyd prepares to leave its existing vessel-sharing arrangement with MSC and Ocean Network Express (ONE) on the Asia–East Coast South America trade.

MSC and ONE are scheduled to continue their Ipanema service under a revised bilateral arrangement from April 2027, while Hapag-Lloyd is preparing its own standalone service.

Hapag-Lloyd has not yet confirmed the precise ASX launch date, initial sailing arrangements or the procedures for transferring cargo from the existing AS2 service.

### Network changes create new routing options

The introduction of AMX and ASX will expand Hapag-Lloyd’s standalone service offering across both sides of Latin America.

For customers shipping through Mexican ports, AMX will provide a direct Asia–Mexico connection supported by onward regional transshipment services. On the East Coast of South America, ASX will provide direct access to Brazilian ports while maintaining River Plate connectivity through feeders.

The distinction between direct calls and feeder connections will be important for shippers assessing transit times, cargo handling arrangements and the implications of changing services.

Further information will also be needed on vessel deployment, terminal arrangements and booking procedures before the full operational impact of the new network can be assessed.

The company has not disclosed the number or capacity of vessels assigned to either service.

Both services remain scheduled for future introduction, with Hapag-Lloyd expected to publish additional operational details as their respective launch dates approach.

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Cite as: "Hapag-Lloyd introduces standalone AMX and ASX services linking Asia and Latin America", pelavox., 6 November 2026, https://pelavox.com/hapag-lloyd-introduces-standalone-amx-and-asx-services-linking-asia-and-latin-america/