Maersk to add second service connecting the Middle East with West Africa

We are pleased to announce that we are launching a new service connecting the Middle East and Central West Africa. Called MEWA, with a rotation of Tanjung Pelepas - Colombo - Nhava Sheva – Mundra – Colombo – Tema – Lome – Abidjan – Tanjung Pelepas.

Service frequency will be weekly and operated by WAFMAX vessels.

The first expected westbound departure will be the Maersk Aras from Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia on 09 February 2024, and the first expected eastbound departure from Tema, Ghana, will be 02 March 2024 with the Rhine Maersk.

Connections on the route

This new service will allow for more connectivity and flexibility for your supply chain. A few ways this service may serve your supply chain is:

Tema, Ghana
Here, your cargo can move to and from Dakar via a new Dakar feeder covering Tema and Dakar.
Your cargo can move to and from Douala via a new Douala feeder covering Tema and Douala.
Your cargo can move to and from Tin Can using the WAF6.
Your cargo can move to and from Cotonou via the WAF11.

In Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Here you can connect your cargo to and from Luanda & Walvis Bay using WAF13.
Additionally, you can connect your cargo to and from Monrovia & San Pedro using the WAF8 and you can connect your cargo to and from Onne & Takoradi using the WAF5.

Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo will connect your supply chain, acting as a transhipment location for volumes from Far East to West Africa.

Additional benefits to your supply chain

Customers located in the Middle East will get a more direct and faster link from the Middle East to West Africa, including Dakar, Senegal.

Customers located in Asia will now have an alternative route into Dakar, avoiding going up and down the West African Coast, in line with deviations of AE services via Cape of Good Hope.

Customers located in West Africa will have extended capacity for exports.