A new cargo route linking China and Vietnam with the Port of Liverpool is being launched by the world’s biggest container line MSC. Tony McDonough reports

MSC is launching a new container route linking China and Vietnam with the Port of Liverpool.

Called Britannia, the new loop provides access to the port of Vung Tau, creating a direct service to Liverpool and MSC hubs in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, connecting Scandinavia and Baltic destinations.

Container vessels operated by MSC, the biggest container line in the world, are already regular callers at the Liverpool2 container facility. This latest investment is a further vote of confidence in Liverpool.

July 1 will see the first sailing on the route when MSC Denisse X leaves China. The full rotation is Shanghai – Ningbo – Yantian – Vung Tau – Liverpool – Rotterdam – Antwerp – Hamburg – London Gateway – Singapore – Shanghai.

MSC said: “This sought after customer service connecting Asia to Liverpool direct will complement our other direct services to London and Felixstowe to provide an unrivalled premium service network throughout the UK.”

David Huck, chief operating officer at Port of Liverpool operator, Peel Ports Group, added: “This is a true gamechanger for UK logistics, opening a world of possibilities for cargo owners and retailers across the country.

“The service will enable an improved and more sustainable flow of cargo – increasing supply chain efficiencies, while reducing lead times and landside carbon emissions.”

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This is the latest piece of good news for the Port of Liverpool. In May shipping line BG Freight Line introduced four new vessels onto its Liverpool to Rotterdam cargo route that it says will slash carbon emissions.

A subsidiary of Port of Liverpool owner, Peel Ports, BG Freight Line says the four new ships – BG Green, BG Blue, BG Red, and BG Orange – are 70m long and can carry up to 1,380 containers. This is 300 containers more than the older vessels.