Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), in partnership with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), has added the Port of Sines in Portugal to its IPAK service, enhancing connectivity between the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and key European markets.
The inclusion of Sines is expected to improve transit efficiency to Western Europe and provide shippers with a strategic transshipment hub offering deepwater facilities and advanced logistics infrastructure. The move also strengthens Portugal’s position as a growing maritime gateway for south-north trade flows.
The updated IPAK rotation will now include major ports in India, Pakistan, the UAE and Europe, with Sines serving as an additional call alongside traditional gateways such as Valencia, Gioia Tauro and Antwerp. This development is aimed at boosting service frequency, reducing transit times and offering greater flexibility for exporters and importers.
Industry observers note that the addition of Sines reflects the increasing demand for India–Europe trade routes and the strategic importance of collaborative operations between global carriers like MSC and national carriers like SCI.
The enhanced IPAK service is expected to take effect in the coming weeks.