Aliança has taken delivery of the first of a series of four identical vessels to be deployed in its Brazilian Coastal service. „Sebastião Caboto“ with a nominal capacity of 3800 TEU and 500 plugs for refrigerated containers is due to arrive in Brazil to commence the import process in mid February. The remaining three vessels will be phased in during the course of the year.
With a total investment of more than R$ 450 million, this series of ships constitutes a new benchmark in the Cabotage Service. The vessels are equipped with the very latest in technology for the safety of the crew and cargo as well as fuel economy. As a result they boast the lowest emissions per container carried, further increasing the difference between shipment by sea and road transportation.
Aliança has long pioneered the growth of the Cabotage mode as a viable alternative to Brazil´s heavy dependence on the road network. On average shipment by sea is 15% cheaper than by road with added advantage of being safer.The deployment of the vessels will capitalise on these advantages, offering sufficient capacity and a reliable frequency that are the hallmarks of Aliança´s service to its customers.
The company continues to pursue its objective of building container ships in Brazil for its medium capacity requirements. However as a result of the high utilisation of the local shipyards for the off shore industry, it was necessary to cover the immediate demand from the market by imports.
With the new fleet Aliança´s cabotage operation will provide the market with a modern fleet of 8 vessels offering more than 90 calls per month in the main Brazilian and Mercosul ports.
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Aliança, January 31, 2013