Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has recently announced an improvement to its IAS India-Africa Service (IAS), designed to bolster trade connections between West and South Africa, the Gulf, and India. This enhancement gives exporters in the Cape region greater access to global markets by replacing the previous call in Coega with a new eastbound call in Cape Town.
This strategic shift grants customers a direct link between Cape Town and Jebel Ali/Abu Dhabi, specifically catering to the needs of reefer cargo. The improvements are particularly beneficial for Cape region fruit exporters, as they gain additional trading opportunities with markets in the Gulf and IPAK region.
The enhanced service rotation commenced with the MSC Cancun, voyage number IW452R, which called at Cape Town on January 11. The new rotation includes the following ports: Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Sohar, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Colombo, Lome, Cotonou, Abidjan, Tema, and Cape Town, before returning to Jebel Ali.