To meet growing global demand, and strengthen Asian port connectivity and availability, MSC has unveiled a new inter-Asia service between the main ports of China and India.

MSC said the service will follow the Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung – Shekou – Singapore – Colombo – Nhava Sheva – Mundra – Colombo – Port Klang – Singapore – Tanjung Pelepas – Vung Tau – Qingdao port rotation.

It will be started with MSC MARA on voyage QS321A, with an estimated arrival in Qingdao on May 23.

"The service will help meet the growing demands of Asian markets and provide greater flexibility for MSC's customers worldwide," MSC said.

Source: MSC
 

MSC added that it will therefore be updating its Sentosa service in due course to remove the calls at Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Colombo, which will now be well covered by the Shikra service.

The shipping line said the new, independently-managed Shikra service is named after the small bird of prey which inhabits much of Southeast Asia and India.