MSC has decided to expand its HIMALAYA EXPRESS service, which connects the Indian subcontinent with Europe and the Red Sea, by adding Abu Qir port in Egypt along with King Abdullah Port and Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia, and adjusting the rotation to include Turkey. Vessels on the service will continue sailing via the Cape of Good Hope without transiting Bab el-Mandeb.
The updated rotation is: Valencia, Barcelona, Gioia Tauro, Abu Qir, King Abdullah, Jeddah, Aliaga, Valencia, Sines, Las Palmas, Colombo, Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Vizhinjam, Las Palmas, Sines, and back to Valencia. The addition of Abu Qir gives Egyptian shippers a further direct link to the Indian subcontinent and Europe within the service network.