HMM to Launch New Feeder Network Between Spain and West Africa, Strengthening Global Network

HMM is expanding its global network by establishing a new feeder network at major ports in West Africa.

HMM's new container service MA2 connecting Spain and West Africa. HMM

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On April 16, HMM announced that it will launch a new container service, "MA2 (Mediterranean West Africa)," connecting Spain and West Africa, starting in July.

As a core pillar of its "2030 Mid- to Long-Term Strategy," HMM is implementing a "Hub & Spoke" strategy to secure global competitiveness. This approach involves deploying large vessels on key hub ports in long-haul routes, such as Europe, while feeder ships build a network of spokes centered on these hubs. This system not only strengthens the service network between long-haul and short-sea routes but also allows for flexible adaptation to market changes, creating a virtuous cycle.

The MA2 service is a concrete realization of the Hub & Spoke strategy, connecting major West African ports with Algeciras, Spain, which is a key hub in the Mediterranean. In particular, by adding African ports with high growth potential that were previously not included as ports of call, HMM is significantly enhancing its service for major shippers.

This new service, operated jointly with Japanese carrier ONE, a member of the Premier Alliance, will commence in the second week of July from Algeciras. It will deploy five 2,800 TEU-class container ships, with a round trip taking 35 days. The rotation will be Algeciras - Tangier (Morocco) - Dakar (Senegal) - Tema (Ghana) - Lekki (Nigeria) - Abidjan (C?te d'Ivoire), in that order.

An HMM official stated, "This MA2 service will mark the beginning of strengthening HMM's global network through its Hub & Spoke strategy," adding, "We will continue to secure new growth engines and further enhance our differentiated service competitiveness to increase customer satisfaction."

Meanwhile, to efficiently implement the Hub & Spoke strategy, HMM has been steadily acquiring feeder ships since the second half of last year. In March, the company ordered ten 2,800 TEU-class container ships from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and at the beginning of this year, it secured two 1,900 TEU-class container ships on the market. In October last year, HMM simultaneously ordered twelve eco-friendly 13,000 TEU-class container ships as well as twelve 1,800 TEU and 2,700 TEU-class container ships, securing a total of twenty-four feeder ships within a span of six months.

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