Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced a significant enhancement to its Iroko service with the introduction of a new direct call at Cape Town, strengthening connectivity between Asia, South Africa, and West Africa.

MSC said the upgraded service is designed to support a wide range of cargo segments, including retail goods, solar panels and other end-consumer products.

The first vessel under the new service configuration will operate on voyage FN604A, with a scheduled call at Ningbo on 23 January 2026.

Under the revised arrangement, the full Iroko service rotation will be:

Ningbo – Nansha – Singapore – Cape Town – Pointe-Noire – Cotonou – Apapa – Tincan/Lagos – Onne – Lobito – Cape Town – Singapore – Xiamen – Ningbo

MSC said the addition of Cape Town as a direct call enhances service reliability and transit efficiency while offering customers improved access to African markets through a robust Asia-Africa shipping corridor.