CHINA¡¦s Cosco Shipping Lines is commencing a new dedicated east Mediterranean - US east coast (EMA) service in April. With weekly departures from all main export markets in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Israel as well as Egypt and Greece, EMA will offer dedicated service to/from the key US east coast ports, reported Colchester¡¦s Seatrade Maritime News. In the west Mediterranean region the major export markets such as Algeciras in Spain and Genoa in Italy are covered with a direct call; Israel, Turkey and Egypt in the East Mediterranean are linked with direct calls and offer fast connection to North America east coast entry gates. Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bulgaria are served via transhipment in Piraeus. With Algeciras being the first and last port of call in the Mediterranean Region, EMA service can offer fast connection to US ports and west Mediterranean ports. At the end of last year, the carrier operated 401 shipping routes including 255 international services, 58 China¡¦s coastal routes and 88 Yangtze river and Pearl river routes.