Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced the introduction of a new direct shipping service, named Iroko, designed to connect major Asian ports with key destinations in West Africa. The service is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2025, and represents a strategic expansion of MSC’s network in the region.
Operating on a weekly rotation, the Iroko service will call at Ningbo, Nansha, Singapore, Pointe Noire, Cotonou, Lagos, Onne, Lobito, Singapore, and then return to Xiamen. This route has been carefully structured to provide faster transit times and broader market coverage for customers moving cargo between Asia and Africa.
Streamlining connections
One of the most notable features of the service is its first port of call at Pointe Noire, which will streamline connections to Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Namibia, enabling shorter delivery times and greater reliability. The direct links to Lagos and Onne are intended to support Nigeria’s expanding import and export activities, while the call at Cotonou strengthens MSC’s already significant presence in Benin. Additionally, the service will offer a direct export channel from Lobito to China, enhancing Angola’s trade flows with Asia.
According to MSC, the launch of the Iroko service highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to serving African markets with efficient and dependable shipping solutions. By introducing this standalone route, MSC aims to respond to growing customer demand and reinforce its role as a trusted logistics partner for businesses across the continent. With the Iroko service, MSC not only improves connectivity but also underlines its strategy of facilitating trade growth between Asia and West Africa’s emerging economies.