Mediterranean Shipping Company has introduced the Firehorse service, a new standalone intra-Asia service focused on direct, fast connections between China, Singapore and Indonesia.
The carrier is also enhancing several existing services to improve connectivity, reliability and access across key regional trade hubs.
The Firehorse service commences with its first sailing of the MSC Palatium III HC610A, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) in Shanghai on March 5. The rotation includes Shanghai – Ningbo – Singapore – Surabaya – Semarang – Singapore – Shanghai.
This loop provides efficient links for cargo moving between major Chinese ports, Singapore as a key transhipment hub, and growing Indonesian destinations.
In parallel, MSC is upgrading multiple intra-Asia services, including Seagull, Seahorse, Saola, Bengal, Pertiwi, Bayan Ko, Kouprey, and Thai. These enhancements aim to deliver more competitive transit times, broader port coverage, and stronger regional integration.
"MSC is pleased to unveil Firehorse, a new standalone service offering direct and fast connections between China, Singapore and Indonesia," the company said in a statement on Monday.
It added that these enhancements would deliver seamless transit and stronger connectivity across Asia.
The updates reflect MSC's ongoing efforts to reinforce its position in the intra-Asia trade lane, where demand for reliable short-sea and feeder services remains strong amid evolving supply chain needs in Greater China and Southeast Asia.
Key updated rotations and start dates include:
• Seagull: MSC Japan III HU610A – ETA Shanghai March 3. Rotation: Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Jakarta – Singapore – Batangas – Manila North Harbour – Subic – Shanghai.
• Seahorse: MSC Aldi III HO610A – ETA Shanghai March 4. Rotation: Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Laem Chabang – Shanghai.
• Saola: MSC Shirley II HS610A – ETA Shanghai March 4. Rotation: Shanghai – Ningbo – Haiphong – Ho Chi Minh City – Dong Nai – Shanghai.
• Bengal: MSC Emily II SX611R – ETA Chattogram March 10. Rotation: Qingdao – Ningbo – Shanghai – Chattogram – Singapore – Xiamen – Qingdao.
• Pertiwi: MSC Bern V HW610R – ETA Panjang March 7. Rotation: Dalian – Tianjin Xingang – Qingdao – Shekou – Singapore – Jakarta – Panjang – Tanjung Pelepas – Singapore – Nansha – Hong Kong – Kaohsiung – Busan – Dalian.
• Bayan Ko: MSC Ida II HK610A – ETA Hong Kong March 1. Rotation: Hong Kong – Yantian – Shekou – Nansha – Ho Chi Minh City – Dong Nai – Manila North Harbour – Davao – Shekou – Hong Kong.
• Kouprey: Sea Star 1 HJ609A – ETA Kampong Saom February 27. Rotation: Kampong Saom – Singapore – Kampong Saom.
• Thai: MSC Ren V HN608A – ETA at Laem Chabang February 18. Rotation: Laem Chabang – Singapore – Jakarta – Singapore – Laem Chabang.
