2M Alliance, which includes the largest container shipping companies in the world MSC and Maersk, will extend its North Europe coverage by adding a call in Zeebrugge, Belgium in its Shogun/AE1 and Lion/AE6 services.
“The additional port of call will provide customers with the option to discharge at an easily accessible port, while also offering improved coverage for inland connections,” said MSC in a statement.
The Swiss-Italian container line believes the two new direct calls will also help to reduce pressure amid the ongoing congestion in European ports.
The updated port rotations for the two services are as follows:
- Lion service: Sines – Zeebrugge – Antwerp – Felixstowe
- Shogun service: – Zeebrugge – Rotterdam – Bremerhaven – Rotterdam – Port Tangiers
MSC noted that only local cargo will be discharged in Zeebrugge, and transshipment of cargo is not available from this port.
First sailings with the revised rotations:
| SERVICE | VESSEL NAME | VOYAGE NUMBER |
|
Lion/AE6 |
MSC Isabella | 222 |
| Shogun/AE1 | MSC Eva | 223 |
