The new AEF5 service will connect Asian ports with Dar es Salaam and Maputo, providing additional shipping options for East and Southern African markets
Evergreen Marine is expanding its shipping network in East and Southern Africa with the introduction of a new container service connecting China with the Port of Maputo in Mozambique.
The service, known as AEF5, will commence on November 25, 2026, with its maiden voyage departing from Shanghai. It will call at Ningbo and Nansha in China, followed by Port Klang in Malaysia, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Maputo. The return leg will include a call at Singapore before the vessel returns to Shanghai.
Evergreen has scheduled a fixed round voyage of 56 days, although arrival dates at individual ports, sailing frequency and container capacity have not yet been disclosed.
According to the shipping company, the new service is intended to extend its network coverage in East and Southern Africa, while complementing its existing services in the region. It is also expected to provide customers with additional routing options and improved port coverage.
The introduction of AEF5 is significant for Mozambique’s maritime sector, particularly the Port of Maputo, which continues to strengthen its position as a regional trade gateway.
For South African importers, particularly those moving cargo into Gauteng, the service could provide an alternative route for shipments originating in China and other Asian markets.
Maputo is connected to Johannesburg by rail over a distance of approximately 584km, compared with about 720km from Durban, according to World Bank data. However, moving cargo through Mozambique requires cross-border clearance at Ressano Garcia and Komatipoort, meaning that inland transport costs and border processing times will remain important considerations for importers.
The new service will therefore add another shipping connection to the region, with its commercial value depending on sailing frequency, available container capacity and the efficiency of onward cargo transportation.