Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced an update to its North West Continent (NWC) to South Africa service and the launch of two additional services, solidifying the Port of Walvis Bay as a transshipment hub in the region.
MSC announced in a statement that it had committed to the new services to enhance its existing network in Southern Africa to facilitate trade between Africa, Europe and other regions.
The update of its NWC to South Africa service and the launch of two new shuttle services is effective as follows:
• The NWC to South Africa service is offering direct connections between North Europe and South Africa and now to Namibia with a direct call to Walvis Bay.
• The Namibia Express connecting Cape Town and Walvis Bay is now enabling cargo delivery from all across Europe to Namibia via transshipment.
• The Mozambique Shuttle connecting Walvis Bay, Maputo and Beira (Mozambique) and up to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Mombasa (Kenya). For cargo import-export Europe, Walvis Bay will serve as transshipment hub for cargo destinated to Maputo and Beira.
“Walvis Bay will become our new transshipment hub in Southern Africa West Coast, facilitating the movement of goods from Europe via our NWC to South Africa service. Additionally, MSC strengthens its intra-Africa network in the region,” MSC said in a statement.
Port rotations and first departures will be as follows:
NWC to South Africa
The revised rotation will start with the MSC Rosaria voyage NZ504A from London Gateway on 20 January 2025. London Gateway-Rotterdam-Antwerp-Bremerhaven-Le Havre-Sines-Las Palmas-Walvis Bay-Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)-Durban-Cape Town-Las Palmas-London Gateway.
Namibia Express
The first sailing will start on 8 January 2025 from Cape Town with the MSC Himanshi III voyage OA502A, and ETA Walvis Bay on 11 January 2025. Cape Town-Walvis Bay-Cape Town.
Mozambique shuttle
The first sailing will start from Beira on 14 January with the MSC Imma III voyage JO502A, and ETA Walvis Bay on 24 January 2025. Beira-Walvis Bay-Durban-Maputo-Mombasa-Dar es Salaam-Beira.
