COSCO Shipping Lines and OOCL have removed the port of Conakry from their WMAX service rotation, revising the West Africa loop as part of a broader network adjustment.
In customer advisories, the carriers said the change is intended to streamline schedules and improve service reliability across the trade. The updated rotation will bypass Conakry, with cargo for Guinea to be handled via alternative transshipment hubs until further notice.
Industry sources indicated that operational considerations, including berth productivity and schedule integrity, influenced the decision. By trimming the port call, the partners aim to reduce voyage times and maintain more consistent weekly departures.
Shippers with existing bookings to and from Conakry have been advised to coordinate with local representatives for revised routing options and updated transit times. Freight forwarders noted that while the omission may extend lead times slightly, alternative feeder connections are expected to ensure cargo continuity.
The WMAX service forms part of the carriers’ Asia–West Africa network portfolio, linking major Asian export hubs with key markets along the West African coast. Further adjustments will depend on cargo volumes and operational conditions in the region.