MITSUI OSK Lines (MOL) is expanding its network coverage on the Asia-South Africa trade lane by joining a service operated by two other carriers on the route, and by adding a new port of call to one of its own services.

The Japanese shipping line said it will participate in the existing Asia and South Africa Service (ASA) operated by "K" Line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha) and PIL (Pacific International Lines), starting from April 8.

The ASA service links central and south China, Taiwan, south east Asia and South Africa on a 56-day rotation.

MOL said in a statement that by joining the ASA it will be able to offer a weekly service. It will provide one of the eight ships, the MOL Delight, deployed on the service.

The port rotation for the ASA is Shanghai, Ningbo, Keelung, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Shekou, Singapore, Port Kelang, Durban, Cape Town, Port Kelang, Singapore, Hong Kong and back to Shanghai.

In a related development, MOL said it will expand the network coverage of its Mozambique Express service (MZX) by adding a fortnightly port of call in Nacala during May and June. Nacala is one of the largest ports in the north of Mozambique.

The revised port rotation for the MZX service is Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Port Louis, Durban, Maputo, Tamatave/Nacala (on an alternative weekly basis), returning to Tanjung Pelepas for a total rotation of 35 days.