MSC announced the reshuffling of its Angola service, adding Pointe-Noire in Congo Republic (CR) and Matadi in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the port rotation, from January 2023.

MSC believes that the addition of Pointe-Noire in the Angola service will add a significant advantage for Asia and Indian markets in the region.

The Swiss/Italian container line said the Congolese port will serve as a key transshipment hub for cargo destinated to Angola and Namibia in Africa.

Stopping the tranship via Lomé will reduce by 11 days the transit time to the main Angolan port of Luanda, and Namibe, as well as Walvis Bay in Namibia, according to MSC, which noted that covering Pointe-Noire on the Angola service, also represents new business opportunities for cargo coming from North Europe and the Mediterranean.

"Indeed, cargo from the main cities of these markets will transship via Lomé, Togo and be directly discharged to CR and DRC," said MSC, which highlighted, "the interconnectivity between Angola and Namibia, and its key trade markets is going to strengthen Intra-Africa and international trade."