Global shipping carrier MSC recently announced the launch of a dedicated, standalone shipping service connecting South Africa directly with the U.S. East Coast. The new route is set to begin service in October 2025. This new route will make MSC the only carrier to offer a direct maritime link between the two regions. It will provide considerable support for South Africa’s citrus exports during the harvest season.
The weekly service will be operated by a fleet of eight vessels, ensuring consistent and reliable transit. The port rotation will include Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Durban, Cape Town, New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Freeport, and return to Gqeberha. During the citrus season, the route will also include a stop at the Port of Philadelphia—a key entry point for South African fruit.
This appears to be a strategic move by MSC, considering last month’s visit by South African President Ramaphosa to Washington, D.C., where he met with President Trump. The visit was seen as a key opportunity to reset U.S.–South Africa trade relations and lay the groundwork for a potential free trade agreement, according to a report published by the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) of Southern Africa. This move by MSC also comes amid South Africa’s recent challenges in accessing EU markets due to stringent phytosanitary measures.
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