The Swiss company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the largest container shipping carrier in the world, has announced the opening of a new maritime route Europe – Red Sea – Middle East Express. This decision was made in response to the escalating security situation in the Middle East, particularly due to the risks of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which is strategically important for global trade.
This is reported by Finway
New MSC logistics route: details and features
The new MSC service has been created to meet the growing demand for maritime transport from Europe to the Middle East. The company emphasizes that this route will provide direct and safe connections between key ports in the region: King Abdullah Port and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as well as Aqaba in Jordan. From there, cargo will be delivered to ports in the Persian Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, through MSC’s extensive multimodal network.
The first voyage on route OC619 A will depart from Antwerp, Belgium, on May 10. The updated schedule includes the following ports: Gdansk, Klaipeda, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Valencia, Barcelona, Gioia Tauro, Abu Qir, King Abdullah Port, Jeddah, and Aqaba.
Advantages of the new service and MSC’s scale
MSC reports that all major European seaports will be connected to the new route: from the Baltic and North Seas to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Seas. This will optimize logistics and ensure supply reliability even in conditions of regional instability.
“It is worth noting that MSC is an absolute monopoly and leader in the global container shipping market. The company transports about 30 million TEUs of cargo annually, and its fleet consists of about 1000 vessels serving over 500 ports in 150 countries.”
It is also worth mentioning that in April, Iran temporarily opened the Strait of Hormuz for shipping during a ceasefire, but later restricted movement in this region again, which heightened risks for global supply chains. These events prompted MSC to swiftly adapt its routes and implement new logistics solutions.