The Geneva, Switzerland-based carrier, MSC, said they will be adding a seasonal call in Pecém, Brazil to its NWC-SAEC I service in August.

The port call "will be of particular interest for exporters of melons," MSC said. "The main destinations for this commodity, and other fruits exported on this route, are Rotterdam and other ports in Northern Europe."

In the first 11 months of 2016, Pecém exported 184,751 tons of fruit. Ocean carrier schedule and capacity database, BlueWater Reporting, shows the NWC-SAEC I currently operates with seven ships averaging 5,689 TEUs.

Pecém will be the final port called on MSCs loop before ships in the rotation sail to Europe. With the addition of the new call, the revised rotation will become: Pecém, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Le Havre, Sines, Rio de Janiero, Santos, Paranaguá, Navegrantes, Santos, Rio de Janiero, Salvador and Pecém.