•  MSC to launch Iroko service on Sept 10, directly linking China, Singapore, and West Africa.

• Route reduces transshipment, cutting transit times to ports like Pointe-Noire and Lagos.

• Part of MSC's expansion amid growing Asia-Africa trade; includes 24,000-TEU ships.

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced a new direct service, Iroko, connecting China and Singapore with West Africa. Starting Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the service will directly link the Republic of Congo, Benin, Nigeria, and Angola, strengthening maritime connectivity with these key Asian trade hubs.

Iroko will follow a route from Ningbo to Nansha, Singapore, Pointe-Noire, Cotonou, Lagos, Onne, Lobito, Singapore, and Xiamen. This service will provide additional weekly connections that will complement existing routes, which operate through hubs in Lomé and Tema.

Direct shipments will reduce the need for transshipment and the use of feeder vessels for the final leg of the journey. This should shorten transit times, especially between Pointe-Noire, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Namibia.

MSC is launching Iroko as Africa increases its trade partnerships with Asian countries, which are major global centers for industrial and technological production. MSC is also continuing its capacity expansion strategy, which includes the recent deployment of the ultra-large container ships MSC DILETTA and MSC TÜRKIYE on African routes. These vessels are 400 meters long and have a carrying capacity of approximately 24,000 TEUs.

"The volume of business and trade between Asia and Africa, particularly West Africa, is experiencing rapid growth," the company indicated in a release late June 2025. "Deploying larger vessels allows MSC to efficiently cater to this increasing demand as we are Africa’s supply chain partner of choice."