Mediterranean Shipping adds 4th Asia/Europe loop

Mediterranean Shipping adds 4th Asia/Europe loop

   Mediterranean Shipping Co. is adding a fourth weekly container service between Asia and Europe.

   The “Lion Service” will connect ports in the Far East and in northern Europe, commencing with the sailing of the “MSC Ornella” from Busan on April 19.

   The Swiss carrier will employ nine vessels of 5,000-TEU capacities for the service, which will have a rotation of Busan, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Singapore, Antwerp, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Singapore, Chiwan and Busan.

   “This new ‘Lion Service’ will enable Mediterranean Shipping Co. to reshuffle their existing ‘Silk,’ ‘Dragon’ and ‘Tiger’ services,” the carrier said.

   Mediterranean Shipping launched an eight-ship “Tiger Service” service connecting Asia with the Black Sea and the East Mediterranean region last October.

   The carrier is expected to announce soon the details of a future joint transpacific service with CMA CGM that will employ five new 8,000-TEU containerships. The transpacific service is scheduled to start in the second half of this year.