Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest container shipping line, is launching a new transport service to minimize disruption from the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In an announcement on May 2, MSC stated that it will open the Europe-Red Sea-Middle East Express starting May 10. The route utilizes overland truck transport across Saudi Arabia to bypass this strategic waterway.

The service will depart from the port of Antwerp on May 10, calling at multiple strategic European ports, and then transit the Suez Canal to reach King Abdullah Port, Jeddah, and Aqaba. From there, MSC will use trucks to transport cargo to destinations in the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates and the Upper Gulf states, while feeder vessels will connect to other destinations in the region, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait.

The new eastbound port rotation is: Gdansk – Klaipeda – Bremerhaven – Antwerp – Valencia – Barcelona – Gioia Tauro – Abu Kir – King Abdullah – Jeddah – Aqaba.

Image source: MSC

This move follows similar logistics adjustments in the region, such as Saudi Arabia's railway company expanding container train services and launching new logistics routes designed to improve supply chain efficiency. These measures come amid the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by the United States and Iran, which has been disrupting roughly 20% of the world's oil and gas shipments.