Port Everglades welcomes MSC's Empire Service, restoring direct Asia connection and enhancing reliability for the US East Coast network.
Port Everglades has regained a direct connection to Asia with the Mediterranean Shipping Company's Empire Service making its inaugural call on 17 July, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
MSC stated that the updated service aims to enhance reliability and schedule stability for its Asia-US East Coast network. The Empire Service replaces calls to Jacksonville and Miami with new stops in Norfolk, Virginia, and Port Everglades.
The route includes key ports such as Shanghai and Ningbo in China, Busan in South Korea, and Rodman in Panama, with Port Everglades serving as the final US call before the vessels return to Shanghai. The port's previous Far East link was the MSC Santana Service, which was also handled by Port Everglades Terminal LLC.
Joseph Morris, Port Director and CEO, remarked that MSC's choice to utilize Port Everglades validates the investments made to boost operational efficiency. He noted that Empire Service vessels have capacities of up to approximately 8,800 TEU, making them among the largest to berth at the port, thereby helping to expedite goods to market.
