Maersk launches weekly shipping service connecting North Europe and Egypt

Maersk has announced that it is introducing a new weekly ocean service connecting North Europe and Italy with Egypt.

The service is aimed at improving transit times and strengthening connectivity across a corridor that Maersk said continues to show steady growth in trade volumes and economic activity.

The Baltic Sea – SLA service links Gdansk, Bremerhaven, and Genoa (Vado Ligure) with both Port Said and Alexandria, offering a direct routing into Egypt and the wider East Mediterranean.

The logistics group explained that, by reducing reliance on indirect routings, the service is expected to shorten transit times and offer greater reliability over complicated alternatives.

The service rotation is Gdansk, Bremerhaven, Genoa Vado Ligure, Port Said East, Alexandria, Port Tangier and Gdansk.

”A fixed weekly rotation supports greater consistency in shipment planning, while fewer transhipments can help reduce variability in lead times,” Maersk outlined.

”This is particularly relevant for supply chains that are increasingly sensitive to disruption and require greater control over inventory levels and delivery timelines.”

Trade shift

The development of the service reflects broader shifts in trade dynamics across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Trade between the EU and Egypt reached approximately €32.3bn in 2025 according to the European Commission, underlining the scale and importance of this corridor.

Within this, Italy plays a central role as Egypt’s largest European trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching around US$6.6bn in 2024.

Growth in North Europe is also contributing to changing demand patterns, Maersk highlighted.

Poland, in particular, remains one of the faster-growing economies in the EU, with GDP growth of around 3.6 per cent in 2025 and forecasts of approximately 3.5 per cent continuing into 2026.

This economic expansion is driving higher import demand and increasing the need for more direct maritime links into key markets such as Egypt.

Key position

Maersk pointed out that Egypt’s position as a regional gateway further reinforces the relevance of the SLA service.

From Port Said and Alexandria, cargo can connect into a broader network serving destinations across the world.

Egypt exported goods worth over US$53bn in 2024, with key markets including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Italy, demonstrating the country’s role as an important hub linking multiple regional trade flows.

”At the same time, supply chain resilience remains a priority for many businesses,” Maersk said.

”Ongoing disruptions have highlighted the importance of simpler, more predictable routings.

”Services with direct port calls can reduce dependency on multiple handling points, which may help limit delays and improve overall reliability,” it continued.

“In corridors where transit time and connectivity are key considerations, incremental improvements in routing and frequency can influence how companies structure their supply chains and how cargo is allocated across services.

”By providing regular, direct calls between North Europe, Italy and Egypt, the SLA service responds to current trade patterns while supporting supply chains that increasingly depend on speed, resilience, and operational simplicity in a more volatile global environment,” Maersk added.