MSC Launches Hormuz Bypass Route with Trucks and Feeder Vessels

MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company by fleet size and cargo capacity, is launching the Europe-Red Sea-Middle East Express service starting May 10 to minimize disruption caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The new service will connect Europe to Middle Eastern ports using trucks across Saudi Arabia and feeder vessels to avoid transit through the strait, according to MSC’s notice on its website.

Route and Service Details

The Europe-Red Sea-Middle East Express will depart from Antwerp, call at strategic ports in Europe, transit the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, and then connect to King Abdullah Port in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Aqaba in Jordan. MSC will use trucks to reach Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s east coast and feeder vessels to connect to other regional ports, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait.

The service is designed to provide reliable, efficient and competitive shipping options with improved transit times to suit all kinds of cargo, MSC said.

Regional Logistics Response

MSC’s move follows similar actions by regional operators. In March, Saudi Arabia Railways said it would operate container trains to additional stations nationwide due to volatility in the Strait of Hormuz. A month later, Saudi Arabia Railways launched five new logistics routes to enhance supply-chain efficiency and integrate various transport modes.

Hormuz Blockade Impact

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, imposed by the US and Iran, has disrupted global supply chains and impeded 20 percent of oil and gas flows through the waterway.