Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced a series of strategic adjustments to its Asia to US East Coast network. Covering the Empire, Amberjack, and Emerald services, these changes are designed to enhance schedule reliability, optimize port coverage, and improve transit times across critical transpacific trade lanes by reducing exposure to port congestion.
To reduce congestion risks and support more consistent on time arrivals, the Empire service is undergoing several port swaps. Qingdao will be removed from the rotation entirely, while Norfolk and Port Everglades will replace Jacksonville and Miami.
The enhanced service will begin with voyage GE622E, estimated to arrive in Shanghai on May 25, 2026. The new port rotation will be:
Shanghai
Ningbo
Busan
New York
Baltimore
Norfolk
Port Everglades
Rodman
Shanghai (Return)
For the Amberjack service, Qingdao is being added as the first port of loading ahead of Ningbo, Shanghai, and Busan. Conversely, Yantian and Xiamen are being dropped from the loop. In the US, the Norfolk port call will be replaced by Jacksonville as the final port of discharge.
This updated service commences with voyage 8E, expected in Qingdao on May 20, 2026. The revised rotation is:
Qingdao
Ningbo
Shanghai
Busan
Manzanillo
Cartagena
Charleston
Savannah
Jacksonville
Kingston
Busan
Qingdao (Return)
On the Emerald service, Kaohsiung will be replaced by Xiamen as the final port of loading in Asia. This adjustment provides a direct connection from Xiamen to major US East Coast hubs, including Charleston, Savannah, and New York.
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Launching with voyage 16E, the service has an estimated arrival in Singapore on May 16, 2026. Shippers can expect the following rotation:
Singapore
Vung Tau
Haiphong
Yantian
Xiamen
Kingston
Charleston
Savannah
New York
Boston
Singapore (Return)
Through this comprehensive network overhaul, MSC aims to provide international shippers with improved schedule stability and more competitive transit times between Asia and the United States.