The world's largest shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping (MSC), announced major adjustments to its Asia-Pacific to U.S. routes in response to falling market demand following the U.S. imposition of new tariffs on Chinese imports.

The Trump administration imposed a levy on most Chinese goods145% dutyAfter a sharp drop in container traffic from China, according to reports by operators such as Hapag-Lloyd and Matson Ships, shipments decreased after the new tariffs took effect on April 9.30%。 MSC's latest route realignment aims to realign its operations and services in response to this wave of market turbulence.

Major Discontinuations and Adjustments

MSC DISCONTINUED TWO MAJOR TRANS-PACIFIC ROUTES:

• Empire Services: Connects major ports in China and the US East Coast (New York/New Jersey, Norfolk, Baltimore) with a reduction of about per week 11,500 TEU Operational capacity.
• Pelican Services: Connects Xiamen, Yantian, Vung Tau, Vietnam, and Busan, South Korea, to the Gulf Coast of the United States (Houston, Mobile, Tampa), with a reduction of about per week 6,500—8,500 TEU Operational capacity.

The adjustments are part of MSC's 2025 network restructuring, prompted by the dissolution of its 2M alliance with Maersk and a shift to partnering with Israel's Zim Sea Shipping on part of its Asia-Pacific to US routes.

Strengthening Southeast Asia Market Layout

MSC is actively shifting its focus to the Southeast Asian market and reconfiguring four additional services:

✅ America Services

• Stop docking at the Chinese salt fields (westbound).
• INCREASED VIETNAM'S MARITIME DEFENSES AND SRI LANKA'S COLOMBO PORT.
• The US East Coast adds Savannah and Jacksonville and cancels Norfolk.

✅ Amberjack Services

• Stop docking at Nansha, China, but maintain other Chinese ports.
• The US end realigns to New York/New Jersey and Baltimore and cancels Wimington, North Carolina.

✅ Emerald Services

• Increased Taiwan Kaohsiung export voyages.
• The US side canceled Jacksonville and Baltimore, and added Norfolk and Boston.

✅ Lone Star Services

• Added Yao Tin, Singapore, Vietnam Vung Tau.
• Cancellation of New Orleans berths, USA.

Impact on the industry

MSC's realignment is the first major shutdown in the East Coast and Gulf Coast markets due to tariff impacts, while MSC also suspended its Orient service to Long Beach and Eastern Overseas (OOCL) canceled its PacificSouth China Express service to Long Beach.

The moves highlight an industry trend: as Chinese cargo supplies weaken, shipping companies are accelerating their diversification and actively expanding connections with Southeast Asia, Taiwan and South Asia to fill the gap in freight volumes.

What it means to global shippers

For shippers, these changes are both a challenge and an opportunity. While reduced throughput on China routes may make seating and scheduling tighter, the expansion of emerging markets such as Southeast Asia offers new options for supply chain diversification and alternative layouts.

Global supply chains remain highly alert: The rapid and flexible logistics planning of the current maritime transport regime will be key to responding to trade policy and geopolitical risks.

Source: https://www.joc.com/article/msc-suspends-two-us-services-rejigs-others-as-tariffs-hit-chinese-imports-6000649

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