Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., branded as MSC, is the world’s largest container shipping company by both fleet size and cargo capacity, controlling about 19.7% of the global container ship fleet. It operates over 790 container vessels with a capacity of 5,505,417 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
On 25 July 2024 they issued two notices about changes that could affect carriage of your shipments, especially if they are in the hands of co-loaders and you don’t get to nominate your preference of shipping line.
In the first notice, MSC introduces their new Wallaby service to replacing the Kiwi Express service. This service runs from South China through the East Coast of Australia to New Zealand. It adds that the current Capricorn and Kiwi Express services will be suspended until further notice.
MSC Reshuffles its Asia-Oceania Network
In this notice, MSC announces the reshuffle of its Asia-Oceania network aiming at offering customers operating businesses in China, Southeast Asia and Oceania, “fast and reliable services to respond to their needs.”
The ‘Wallaby’ service will be enhanced and reinstated as a standalone service, offering clients faster and more direct connections between Australia, New Zealand and North Asia. The revised rotation will also provide a comprehensive coverage of New Zealand ports, including Bluff, and a seamless connection to MSC’s global network via their main hubs in Hong Kong, Yantian, Shanghai and Ningbo.
Also, their Noumea Express service will include the addition of Tauranga and Nelson calls, offering more options to/from New Caledonia and Fiji. The new rotation will be as follows: Sydney – Brisbane – Noumea – Suva – Lautoka – Nelson – Tauranga – Sydney – Bell Bay – Sydney.
The current Capricorn and Kiwi Express services will be temporarily suspended until further notice. The last Capricorn sailing will be from Singapore on 20 August 2024 with MSC MANU voyage FC434A, while the last Kiwi Express sailing will be from Laem Chabang on 20 August 2024 with AS CALIFORNIA voyage KE434A.
MSC ask clients to note that for import shipments to Australia West Coast (Fremantle and Adelaide), they will continue to offer service via Sydney on their Australia Express service, while export shipments will remain via Singapore.
The second notice is not as informative:
Schedule Update – Trade Asia to Mediterranean
This statement from MSC says, “Due to the current challenging situation generating terminal congestions and longer waiting times in Asia and Mediterranean ports, MSC is planning to adjust the sailing program on its Asia to the Mediterranean network to match the actual departure dates from Asia.”
Also see this article from our archives about MSC: Milestone for Container Shipping
For the latest information about international shipping trends, talk to here at Colless Young. As licensed Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders we offer correct, professional advice on all your transportation requirements. We are based in Brisbane and provide a complete range of logistics services, both airfreight and sea cargo, through all Australian ports and airports.
