Standalone MSC network to offer Suez and Cape routes

The final layout of the 2025 container alliances has been set, with MSC going it alone from February 2025 after its 2M alliance with Maersk comes to an end.

MSC said it will offer a unique East-West solution, offering services sailing via both the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope. Suez is often the most efficient route for East-West trades, cutting thousands of nautical miles and 10-15 days from some routes. Many ships have chosen to take the longer Cape route to avoid attacks on merchant ships by Houthis in the southern Red Sea.

MSC said it will have five trades, with 34 loops including:

There will be optionality of weekly services via Suez, with more than 1,900 direct port pairs or the Cape of Good Hope with more than 1,800 direct port pairs, the company said.

Soren Toft, CEO of MSC, said: "With the addition of select slot swap agreements we will provide complete coverage across all East-West routes. Furthermore, as we assume full operational control of our network, we can today offer clients both Suez and Cape of Good Hope routing options.”

Related:HMM, ONE and Yang Ming form Premier Alliance

MSC has agreed to partner up with the new Premier Alliance next year with a slot exchange deal covering nine services on the Asia-Europe trades.