The final layout of the 2025 container alliances has been set, with MSC going it alone from February 2025 after its 2M alliance with Maersk comes to an end.

MSC said it will offer a unique East-West solution, offering services sailing via both the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope. Suez is often the most efficient route for East-West trades, cutting thousands of nautical miles and 10-15 days from some routes. Many ships have chosen to take the longer Cape route to avoid attacks on merchant ships by Houthis in the southern Red Sea.

MSC said it will have five trades, with 34 loops including:

• Seven loops for Asia - North Europe
• Six loops for Asia - Mediterranean
• Four loops for Asia - North America West Coast
• Six loops for Asia - North America East Coast 
• 11 loops for the transatlantic network

There will be optionality of weekly services via Suez, with more than 1,900 direct port pairs or the Cape of Good Hope with more than 1,800 direct port pairs, the company said.