MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company (MSC) has announced an upgrade to its intra-Asia network, adding a new service and updating four of its existing strings.

Starting yesterday (in week 30 on July 20), the enhancements to the intra-Asia network offer direct connections for long haul cargo from Greater China and South East Asia, as well as comprehensive port coverage between Indonesia, South China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, according to the company.

"This comes at a time when customers are showing increasing demand for new services to move cargo between key locations in Asia," said MSC.

The world's second-largest container carrier will launch the new Seahorse service on July 25 with the container vessel MSC Gianna starting its voyage from the Port of Tanjung Pelepas.

Seahorse service rotation: Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Jakarta, Yantian, Kaohsiung, Manila, Vung Tau, Laem Chabang and returning Tanjung Pelepas.

The first voyage of the updated New Origami service will be on July 25 with the container ship Shatta Bhum starting from Tanjung Pelepas.

New Origami service rotation: Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Vung Tao, Xiamen, Tokyo, Yokohama, Omaezaki, Yokkaichi, Nagoya, Vung Tau and returing Tanjung Pelepas.

Shanghai is the starting port of the updated Seagull service, which commenced July 16 with the box ship MP The Gronk. Seagull service rotation: Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Laem Chabang, Vung Tau and returning Shanghai.

The updated Lang Co Express will launch from Quinhon on July 27 with Spirit of Kolkata being deployed on the first voyage. Lang Co Express service rotation: Quinhon, Da-Nang, Yantian, Hong Kong, Shekou and returning Quinhon.

In addition, MSC will launch the updated Malyndo service from the port of Singapore on July 21, using the container ship TG Athena. Malyndo service rotation: Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Pasir Gudang, Port Kelang and returing Tanjung Pelepas.

"Our newly updated services will link seamlessly to our other intra-Asia services and to our global ocean liner network, as well as to our inland and barge services within the Asia region," commented MSC, which also noted that loadings from Xiamen to Japan and from Japan to Xiamen will be opened as from August 1, subject to the authorities' agreements, Container News, Jacksonville reported.