COSCO Shipping Lines has started its WSA5 express ocean service on February 21 with the 8,528 TEU vessel Xin Ou Zhou Guayaquil departing from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to transport shrimp and bananas to Shanghai, China, via Chancay, Peru, according to the company's release.

The service aims to reduce transit time to 27 days for reefers, compared to the 35 to 55 days typical of other routes, reports St Petersburg PortNews.

The route connects Guayaquil's Contecon terminal to the recently opened Chancay port, inaugurated in November 2024 with a US$1.4 billion investment from COSCO Shipping Ports Chancay Peru SA, before reaching Shanghai.

Javier Lanza, CEO of Contecon Guayaquil SA, noted: "Before this new route, the merchandise directed to China from Ecuador in boat arrived at its destination in a deadline of 35 to 55 days, since they had to pass by other ports of the north of the region."

The service targets a 10 per cent reduction in logistics costs, with bananas - accounting for 60 per cent of Ecuador's containerised exports - expected to benefit most significantly.

The weekly service follows a trial voyage the previous week, with a second vessel which departed February 21 carrying 247 TEU, including fresh foods.

The WSA5 route also includes stops at Buenaventura, Colombia, and Mexican ports, completing a nine-week cycle with a fleet ranging from 2,300 to 9,500 TEU capacity.

COSCO Shipping Ports Chancay Peru SA is a joint venture established in 2019, 60 per cent owned by COSCO Shipping Ports and 40 per cent by Volcan Compania Minera SAA, managing the Chancay port in Peru.