Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced the launch of its new service Mediterranean Africa Express Service (MAX), a weekly maritime connection designed to link West Africa with major international trade corridors through the Mediterranean hubs of Algeciras and Tangier.
The new rotation will connect Algeciras, Tangier, Dakar, Tema, Lekki —in the Lagos area— and Abidjan, before returning again to Algeciras. The first stop is scheduled at the port of Algeciras on July 7, 2026, when the shipping company will start operating this service, as the company has reported.
ONE presents this new line as a direct solution for shippers operating between West Africa and international markets, in a context of growing demand for reliable connections, more flexible routing options, and stable transit times. The shipping company has stated that the MAX service will channel traffic from the African ports included in the rotation to its global network, with subsequent connections to Asia, Northern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, North America, Latin America, and other Mediterranean enclaves.
The role of Algeciras and Tangier will be central to the structure of the new service. Both enclaves will act as connection points with ONE's international network, facilitating cargo distribution to other long-distance services. In the case of the port of Algeciras, the new rotation adds a weekly call linked to traffic with West Africa, an area that has a growing weight in maritime flows related to manufactured products, consumer goods, raw materials, and containerized cargo destined for regional and global markets.
The route incorporates strategic ports of West Africa. Dakar, in Senegal, operates as a gateway for regional traffic from the Atlantic Africa; Tema, in Ghana, is one of the main port nodes in the Gulf of Guinea; Lekki, in Nigeria, adds additional capacity to the logistics environment of Lagos; and Abidjan, in Ivory Coast, maintains a relevant position in the maritime traffic of the region. The inclusion of these enclaves allows ONE to articulate a regular connection between several of the most dynamic port markets on the western African coast and its intercontinental services.
The company has indicated that customers using the MAX service will have access to subsequent connections with its global network, including routes to North America, South America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia. The shipping company believes that this structure will simplify cargo movements and provide greater flexibility to supply chains, especially for operators who need to combine African regional services with long-distance oceanic connections.
We are committed to investment and growth in Africa. The MAX service is an essential addition to our network as it connects West Africa with key global trade routes and offers our customers smooth access to ONE's extensive international network,” stated Hosaka, CEO of ONE (Europe).