Geneva, Switzerland-based shipping line MSC announced this week that it plans to start a new weekly service between the Port of Oakland and Southeast Asia in November.
The new Sentosa Service is expected to begin Nov. 6, and include stops in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It’s the fourth first-call service launched at Oakland this year, following suit with CMA CGM, Matson and Wan Hai Lines.
The new service is another option for shippers who want to avoid congestion at Southern California seaports said Oakland, which has been seeing an increase in its market share with the growth of its first-call business. Imports account for 55% of Oakland’s volume this year, up from Oakland’s traditional 50/50 share of imports and exports.
“We’re excited to welcome MSC’s service because Southeast Asia is an important, growing market,” port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “We’re also gratified that the shipping industry continues to acknowledge Oakland’s role in world trade by adding more and more capacity.”
