A 62,000-ton multi-purpose pulp carrier, the inaugural weekly service ship of China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation Limited (COSCO SHIPPING Group) to BRICS countries in eastern South America, commenced operations at Nansha Port in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on May 26.
A 62,000-ton multi-purpose pulp carrier commenced operations at Nansha Port in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on May 26. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The vessel is operated by COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd. It is set to begin its journey to South America after loading 660 new energy vehicles and container cargo. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Port of Vitoria, Brazil, in as fast as 30 days.
One of the upgraded services highlighted is the frequency of the route, which leverages the scale advantages of multi-purpose pulp carriers to meet the growing demand for cargo transport between China and eastern South America.
Deepening China–Latin America cooperation
The launch is a strategic step toward strengthening trade ties between China and BRICS countries, especially in coastal South America. It supports the broader goal of fostering a “golden decade” of China–Latin America trade.
COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd. has long been active in the Belt and Road Initiative, transporting over 15 million freight tons of cargo in 2024. In South America — an important extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road — the company has played a vital role in energy and infrastructure development. In Brazil, it has delivered wind turbines, high-speed rail equipment, and urban rail vehicles, while also supporting the export of pulp and stone, aiding Brazil’s energy transition.
Delivering sustainable and high-performance logistics
COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd. has deployed more than 40 large multi-purpose pulp carriers for the new services, including 20 vessels from the 77,000-ton series as primaries and 22 vessels from the 62,000-ton series as backup, providing a stable capacity guarantee for the service.
The vessel stops at key ports in China, including Qingdao, Taicang, Ningbo, and Nansha, covering core ports in Brazil, such as Salvador, Vitoria, and Sepetiba. Goods can reach major South American ports within 30 days.
The vessels are equipped with independently developed collapsible frames of various sizes, compatible with standard container crane systems and capable of transporting up to three passenger vehicles per container. Certified for international liner operations, they feature container supports, deck-mounted reefer plugs, and full compliance with hazardous cargo standards. Compared to earlier models, the new vessels cut carbon emissions by over 40 percent on equivalent routes.
Customized, digital-driven end-to-end solutions
COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd. has strengthened port infrastructure and adopted a “single-port loading/unloading” model to boost supply chain efficiency. Working with Guangzhou Port, the service lowers logistics costs and connects seamlessly with COSCO SHIPPING’s internal resources to deliver end-to-end solutions for project cargo and vehicles.
A dedicated service team works closely with clients to develop customized logistics plans — from origin to destination — covering packaging, handling, transport, and storage. The company’s smart platform adds digital efficiency with intelligent loading, route planning, automated operations, and real-time tracking.
(Executive editor: Cui Feng)
