Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced it has discharged cargo from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Israel for the first time since signing the landmark deal, named as the Abraham Accords, in September to normalise relations between the two countries.
The 8,000TEU container ship MSC Paris, which is deployed on MSC’s Indus Express service, offloaded boxes at the port of Haifa, Israel last week, during a voyage which began in Abu Dhabi, UAE and also called in Dubai.
MSC Paris has additionally called at ports India and Pakistan before reaching the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.
After a ceremony at the port, the 2006-built vessel proceeded towards the US to complete its scheduled rotation.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjmin Netanyahu highlighted MSC Paris’ call on Twitter, commenting that the new trade route would help strengthen the Israeli economy.
