Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is expanding its Himalaya Express service by adding calls at Abu Qir in Egypt, King Abdullah Port and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, strengthening connections between Europe, the Red Sea and the Indian subcontinent.
The revised service will also include changes to its Turkish port coverage. According to maritime consultancy Dynaliners, the updated rotation will be:
Valencia – Barcelona – Gioia Tauro – Abu Qir – King Abdullah – Jeddah – Aliaga – Valencia – Sines – Las Palmas – Colombo – Nhava Sheva – Mundra – Vizhinjam – Las Palmas – Sines – Valencia.
The expansion gives MSC additional coverage in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while maintaining direct links between Mediterranean gateways and key Indian subcontinent ports including Colombo, Nhava Sheva, Mundra and Vizhinjam.
Despite the addition of Red Sea calls, MSC will not route the Himalaya Express through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Vessels will continue sailing around the Cape of Good Hope in both directions, reflecting the carrier’s ongoing approach to Red Sea operations amid security concerns in the region.
The revised network is expected to improve connectivity between Mediterranean markets, the Red Sea and South Asia while providing additional options for cargo moving through Jeddah and King Abdullah Port. The inclusion of Abu Qir also strengthens MSC’s Egyptian coverage within the service.
The expansion comes as carriers continue to reshape their networks around the Red Sea, balancing the demand for direct regional connections with the operational and security considerations associated with transiting the Bab el-Mandeb. MSC’s decision to retain the Cape of Good Hope routing means the additional Red Sea coverage will be provided without returning the service to the shorter Suez Canal–Bab el-Mandeb route.