Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced enhancements to its network in Southern Africa aimed at facilitating trade between the region and Europe. The update includes the revision of the North-West Continent (NWC) to South Africa service and the introduction of two new shuttle services. The NWC to South Africa service now offers direct connections between North Europe and South Africa, extending to Namibia with a direct call at Walvis Bay. Additionally, the Namibia Express will link Cape Town, South Africa, and Walvis Bay, Namibia, allowing for the transshipment of cargo from Europe to Namibia via Cape Town. The Mozambique Shuttle is designed to connect Walvis Bay with several ports in Mozambique and extend up to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya, making Walvis Bay a transshipment hub for cargo headed to Maputo and Beira from Europe.
Walvis Bay is positioned as a new transshipment hub on the Southern Africa West Coast, enhancing the movement of goods from Europe through the NWC to South Africa service. This development is part of MSC's commitment to strengthening its intra-Africa network in the region. Detailed information on the Southern Africa network, including port rotations and first departures, is provided.
For instance, the revised NWC to South Africa service will commence with the MSC Rosaria voyage NZ504A from London Gateway on 20 January 2025, covering several key ports before returning to London Gateway. The Namibia Express and Mozambique Shuttle services are set to begin on 08 January 2025 and 14 January 2025, respectively, with specific routes detailed in the announcement.
Source: MSC