MSC launches direct West Africa service

December 23 will see the launch by Mediterranean Shipping Company of a direct service between South Africa and West Africa. Until now the line has utilised vessels between South Africa and the North West Continent with transhipment in Las Palmas to serve the West African market. “Finally we can embrace Africa entirely on both the east and west coasts with a direct weekly service emanating from the main South African ports,” Rosario Sarno, MD of MSC South Africa, told FTW. “This is a completely new service which will employ five vessels of 3000 TEU capacity.” The MSC Nairobi will inaugurate the service with the first sailing out of Ngqura on December 23. CAPTION The MSC Nairobi will inaugurate the new service on December 23.