The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced a new line connecting the Far East with the Red Sea as part of efforts to enhance its services out of Asia.

Starting in week 45, the “Petra Express” will operate on a loop calling at Ningbo, Shanghai, Nansha, Shekou, Singapore, Colombo, Salalah, Djibouti, King Abdullah Port, Sokhna Port, Al’Aqabah, King Abdullah Port, Salalah, Singapore, and Ningbo.

MSC Pilar will initiate the service, sailing from Ningbo on November 6, 2017 as one of the eight 4,800-TEU vessels operating on the line.

MSC has already taken steps to reinforce its feeder network out of both Salalah and King Abdullah Port.

The new Petra Express service will create more availability of space and ensure competitive transit times, said the Swiss-based carrier in a statement.

It added that customers with cargo originating in Australia and New Zealand that is bound for the Red Sea will now be routed via Singapore.

Image courtesy of MSC

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