Transit times from Cape Town now include a direct connection to Singapore in 15 days, Xiamen in 21 days and Nansha in 27 days.
by Blue Africa News
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s largest container shipping lines, has announced an upgrade to its Iroko service with a new direct call at Cape Town, South Africa.
Iroko is one of MSC’s “standalone” shipping routes, with the strategic enhancement providing a direct connection between Cape Town and Asia offering improved service for both dry and perishable cargo.
“Designed to deliver more comprehensive port coverage, MSC continues to strengthen its network and support the growing trade between South Africa and key Asian markets, providing efficient, dependable and customer-focused connections,” the company said.
Transit times from Cape Town, the Geneva, Switzerland headquartered company added, now include a direct connection to Singapore in 15 days, Xiamen in 21 days, Ningbo in 24 days and Nansha in 27 days.
Similarly, transshipment connections are also available, with Chattogram reachable in approximately 28 days, Shanghai in 25 days and Port Klang in 23 days.
Ningbo – Nansha – Singapore – Pointe Noire – Cotonou – Apapa – Tincan – Onne –Lobito – Cape Town – Singapore – Xiamen – Ningbo is now the new rotation for the Iroko service.
MSC first announced Iroko as a new standalone service from China and Singapore to Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria, Benin and Angola. The service commenced on September 10, providing additional weekly direct connections between Asia and West Africa.
The service calls at Ningbo – Nansha – Singapore – Pointe Noire – Cotonou – Lagos – Onne – Lobito – Singapore – Xiamen ports respectively.
Recently, the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) received the maiden call of Dorine V, the first vessel of the MSC Iroko service to sail directly from China and the Far East.
“This direct call cuts out several layers of delay that importers have traditionally faced. It means shorter transit times, more predictable arrival windows and significantly reduced freight costs for goods coming from China and the Far East,” said OMT’s Managing Director, Nicolo Scannavini.
He termed the historic direct call as a game-changer not only for the Nigerian terminal, but for the entire West African region, noting that the move is poised to reshape trade patterns and also unlock immense economic value for the country.
“With this direct service, consignees and agents can now receive their shipments from China and Eastern Asia in as little as 40 to 42 days. We encourage businesses to take full advantage of this new corridor because it delivers speed, certainty and cost-efficiency in ways that were not possible before,” added Oscar Aguocha, MSC’s regional manager and business head for South-South and South-East Nigeria.
The Liberian-flagged vessel with a carrying capacity of 5,089 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) is among the largest containerships to ever call at OMT.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News