MSC has announced enhancements to its standalone East/West network services, set to commence in February 2025, aimed at improving connectivity between Asia, Europe, the US, and Canada.
Key updates to the network include the integration of the Mustang service, connecting Asia to the Northwest US and Canada, with a new rotation encompassing Xiamen, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, and Busan. Additionally, increased connectivity for Asia to US and Canada trade will be facilitated through added calls in Vung Tau and Haiphong, Vietnam, on the Pearl and Chinook services.
The Asia to Europe trade network will see added calls in Nansha on the Lion and Dragon services. The Swan-Sentosa service will also introduce a westbound call in Yantian and a direct call to Japan via Yokohama, replacing Busan.
For the US trade routes, a westbound call in Busan will be added to the Orient and Lonestar services, enhancing connectivity between the US West and East Coasts to Asia. The Jade service will feature a call in Vizhinjam, India, before sailing to the Mediterranean, and the Dragon service will reshuffle Colombo with Vizhinjam on the eastbound leg.
The Britannia service, connecting Asia and North Europe, and the America service, connecting the US East Coast to Asia, will both add a call in Colombo. The Albatros service will now include two calls in the UK, with London Gateway added after Felixstowe.
MSC assures that these latest updates will not impact the tonnage or deployment of any other routes globally. The expanded East/West network, along with existing Asia export services, aims to provide extensive continental trade connectivity with Asia through a variety of loops, competitive transit times, and a high frequency of direct port calls.