Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced an upgrade of its service network linking India, Pakistan, the UAE, and Africa, starting in July. The service will be offered in partnership with Singapore-based Pacific International Line (PIL) and Mauritius-based Laurel Navigation Ltd. (LNL). Each company will provide three ships in the new service plan.
MOL, currently offering India/Pakistan/UAE – East Africa – South Africa service under the name of MRX, will discontinue calls at South Africa and dedicate the service to the East Africa market. The move allows MOL to stabilize ship schedules with less exposure to serious congestion at ports in South Africa and East Africa.
MOL, maintaining its comprehensive port coverage, will increase space for cargo bound to East Africa in response to rising demand in that market. Details of the service upgrade are as follows:
• Number of ships: Four 1,200 TEU-class containerships
• Frequency: Fixed-day weekly
• Calling ports: Karachi - Nhava Sheva - Jebel Ali - Mombasa - Dar es Salaam - Karachi

Opening of New India/UAE – South Africa -- West Africa service
At the same time, MOL will start a new service between India/UAE – South Africa – West Africa. Along with seamless coverage of South Africa, the new service will add direct links to India/UAE and West Africa with the fastest transit time in the market as well as enough space capacity for this emerging market.

The addition of regular calls at Cape Town on return voyages will allow MOL to offer competitive service, especially for reefer cargo, which is a dominant commodity in that market. And by using its established service network centered on South Africa, MOL will offer a variety of services including reefer service from the East Coast of South America to the UAE.
• Number of ships: Five 1200 TEU-class containerships
• Frequency: Every 12 days
• Calling ports: Jebel Ali - Nhava Sheva - Durban - Lagos – Cotonou – Tema - Cape Town – Durban - Jebel Ali