Hapag-Lloyd’s Gulf Caribbean Service (GCS), which connects the US Gulf with Central America, the north coast of South America and the Caribbean every fortnight, will operate on a new pattern from April of two weekly loops. Ocean Network Express (ONE) participates in the service through slots, calling it ‘CX2’, reports Alphaliner.
The ‘GCS’ currently calls at Houston, Altamira, Veracruz, Santo Tomás de Castilla, Puerto Cortés, Puerto Limón, Manzanillo (Pan), Cartagena (Col), Santa Marta, Caucedo, San Juan, Santa Marta, Cartagena ( Col), Manzanillo (Bread), Puerto Limón, Santo Tomás de Castilla, Puerto Cortés, Houston. The service is delivered in 42 days, using three ships of 2,300-2,500 teu.
Alphaliner reports that in the future, a northern loop, dubbed “GCS,” will connect Houston with the hub ports of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, with new calls introduced at Kingston and Puerto Barrios. The ‘GCS’ will call at Houston, Altamira, Veracruz, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Cortés, Caucedo, Kingston, Houston. The 2,506 teu MAIRA will begin rotation from Houston on April 13.
They report that a second southern loop, called ‘GC2’, will connect Central America with Colombia and San Juan de Puerto Rico. It will stop at Cartagena (Col), Manzanillo (Pan), Puerto Barrios, Puerto Cortés, Puerto Limón, Cartagena (Col), Caucedo, San Juan, Cartagena (Col).
It should be noted that Santa Marta is no longer served under this revised pattern. The JONATHAN P of 1,732 teu will start the rotation from Cartagena (Col) on April 3, Alphaliner ends.
Source: Alphaliner
