MSC Restructures Far East-North Europe Network: 3 Routes Adjusted Amid Port Congestion

Route-Specific Changes

Swan Service (Far East–Scandinavia):

• Eastbound: Drops Antwerp; adds Felixstowe (UK).

• Vessels: 16 x 13,800–16,650 TEU ships.

• New Rotation:
  Ningbo → Shanghai → Xiamen → Yantian → Singapore → Sines → Le Havre → Rotterdam → Gothenburg → Aarhus → Hamburg → Felixstowe → Port Klang → Singapore → Chiwan → Busan → Ningbo.

Britannia Service (Far East–Baltic):

• Eastbound: Drops Antwerp; retains westbound call.

• New Ports: Adds Nansha (replaces Ningbo) and Colombo (replaces Mundra).

• Fleet: 16 x 13,800–16,600 TEU vessels.

Lion Service (Far East–North Europe):

• Adjustment: Removes Nansha (now covered by Britannia).

• Antwerp: Keeps dual calls (westbound/eastbound).

Strategic Drivers

Port Congestion:

• Antwerp delays now exceed 7 days due to Red Sea reroutings.

• Felixstowe chosen for UK cargo consolidation; Colombo for Indian subcontinent transshipment.

Market Adaptation:

• Follows MSC’s April 1 rate hikes (up to $2,000/FEU increase).

• Aims to stabilize 16-week sailing cycles amid unpredictable transit times.

Industry Context

Red Sea Fallout:

• 30% of Asia-Europe cargo still diverting via Cape of Good Hope.

• Scandinavia demand: Swan’s Aarhus/Gothenburg calls target volatile Baltic trade.

What’s Next?:

• Further adjustments likely if Antwerp congestion persists.

• Carriers may prioritize smaller ports (e.g., Sines) to avoid bottlenecks.