ECUBEX, First direct container service between South America and Russia, will be solemnly put into operation on March 22, 2010. As the company Maersk Line, operator of the service reported to PortNews IAA, ECUBEX service - the first direct ocean container route between Ecuador and Russia is a unique solution that allows delivering of the Ecuadorian products to the Russia market in a short period of time.
In the process of expanding and improving trade ties such direct route becomes profitable both to Ecuadorian producers and Russian consumers. Earlier the delivery of fruits was carried out by ships-refrigerators in large bulk batches. Level of cargo safety was low, and to make it better unripe fruits were loaded. Today, thanks to the new service and container technologies StarCare patented by Maersk Line high quality transportation, cargo safety and natural products freshness are provided.
Investments in this kind of innovative service was caused by customer demand for reliable and fast delivery of fruit in refrigerated containers, in particular bananas from Ecuador to Russian market. This service provides a unique opportunity for Russian exporters to develop trade relations between Russia and South America.
Direct ocean container service between South America and Russia will be available all year-round, calling in the port of St. Petersburg at the terminals of Petrolesport JSC and First Container Terminal JSC every week. Service ECUBEX is equipped with 6 new ice-class vessels with a maximum capacity of 600 refrigerator - containers and the total nominal capacity of 2,500 containers (in the twenty-foot equivalent), and the following ports will be in the itinerary: Guayyakill, Balboa, Rotterdam, Saint Petersburg, PLP, St. Petersburg FCT, Bremerhaven, Manzanillo, Balboa, Guayyakill. March 22, 2010 Maersk Niamey vessel came to the port of St. Petersburg.