OOCL has announced the launch of its new Canadian Gateway Express 3 (GEX3), a weekly service establishing a direct connection between Canada and the West Mediterranean.
OOCL has announced the launch of its new Canadian Gateway Express 3 (GEX3), a weekly service establishing a direct connection between Canada and the West Mediterranean. The addition strengthens the carrier's transatlantic network and delivers a dedicated corridor for businesses moving cargo between two of the world's most active trading regions.
For shippers, freight forwarders, and importers managing goods across these markets, GEX3 introduces a reliable new option built around schedule integrity, predictable transit times, and expanded market reach.
At the center of GEX3 is a direct link between Montreal and key gateways in the Western Mediterranean. Rather than relying on indirect routings and multiple transshipment points, cargo owners gain a straightforward path that reduces handling and supports tighter control over delivery commitments.
Direct connectivity matters most when reliability is on the line. Fewer touchpoints mean fewer opportunities for delay, giving businesses greater confidence in inventory planning and their ability to meet customer deadlines.
GEX3 is backed by a dedicated feeder network that extends coverage well beyond the ports of call. Through these connections, the service reaches a wide range of Mediterranean destinations, giving customers access to markets across Southern Europe, North Africa, and the surrounding trade lanes.
This combination of a direct mainline and a broad feeder structure supports several practical outcomes:
* Wider market access for businesses expanding their footprint across the region
* Consolidated routing options that help manage total landed cost
* Greater flexibility for adjusting to seasonal demand and shifting order volumes
For importers focused on cost efficiency and quick market entry, the expanded reach opens new sourcing and distribution possibilities without requiring separate carrier arrangements.
GEX3 operates on a fixed weekly schedule, giving customers a dependable cadence to build their supply chains around. Consistent weekly departures support accurate forecasting, steadier inventory turnover, and smoother cash flow management.
Schedule integrity remains a defining feature of the service. Reliable transit times and a stable rotation reduce the uncertainty that often complicates cross-region planning, allowing forwarders and cargo owners alike to coordinate downstream operations with greater precision.
The new service will begin according to the following schedule:
* Westbound: First sailing from Salerno on 13 October 2026
* Eastbound: First sailing from Montreal on 9 November 2026
The full rotation covers major gateways across the West Mediterranean and Canada, connecting industrial and commercial centers in both directions.
Westbound
Tangier - Salerno - Livorno - Genoa - Fos Sur Mer - Sagunto - Algeciras - Montreal
Eastbound
Montreal - Tangier - Salerno - Livorno - Genoa - Fos Sur Mer - Sagunto - Algeciras
This structured rotation links Canada's largest eastern gateway with Italy's manufacturing hubs, the ports of Southern France, and Iberian trade centers, while the Tangier and Algeciras calls anchor connectivity to North Africa and onward feeder services.
