MSC axes TP9 string after Synergy Keelung 539E sailed Xiamen

Xiamen, 24 September 2025 – Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) stunned the export market yesterday when the Synergy Keelung 539E broadcast an amended voyage plan minutes after dropping lines at Xiamen Port’s Songyu container terminal at 14:30 local time. The message, copied to terminals in Shanghai, Ningbo and Yantian, stated: “TP9 string discontinued—vessel to proceed direct to Tanjung Pelepas for service re-positioning.” No further east-bound calls will be made, effectively cancelling the last three head-haul departures of the loop that were scheduled to cover China’s National Day-Golden Week rush.

TP9 Background
Launched in 2022 as a joint TP9/Maple service with Maersk, the loop offered 13-day transit Xiamen–Los Angeles and 14-day Ningbo–Long Beach. Average capacity was 12,500 TEU, of which 35 % was typically booked by small and mid-size BCOs and forwarders. With the string now suspended, analysts estimate 38,000 TEU of October head-haul space has evaporated.

Immediate Impact

• Spot rates from South China to Los Angeles jumped 9 % within six hours of the announcement, reaching USD 4,750/FEU.

• Roll pools at Xiamen and Yantian are predicted to swell to 3,500 TEU by 27 September.

• Exporters of e-commerce, furniture and Halloween merchandise face 7-10 day delays unless cargo is re-routed.

Sunnia Logistics (HMKD) Response
“Our operations centre locked in emergency allotments on MSC TP3 (Shanghai), Maersk TP8 (Ningbo) and COSCO AAC (Yantian) within two hours,” said Ms. Apple Zhou, air-sea product manager. “We also reserved 250 TEU of 20GP and 40HQ slots on a 6 October extra-loader out of Shekou.”

Service Alternatives Offered

• TP3: 13-day Shanghai–LA, weekly capacity 14,000 TEU, cut-off 30 Sep.

• TP8: 12-day Ningbo–Long Beach, bi-weekly 24,000-TEU eco-ships, cut-off 2 Oct.

• AAC: 15-day Yantian–Oakland, then rail to LA/Chicago, cut-off 1 Oct.

• Express extra-loader: 6 Oct Shekou–LA, 10-day transit, premium USD 300/TEU.

Value-Added Options

• Customs export green lane – 2-hour release.

• On-site forklift labour for re-stowing rolled cargo.

• GPS container tracking and daily sailing schedule updates.

• Marine cargo insurance at 0.12 % of CIF value.

How to Book Peak-Season Space
Email: [email protected]
Mobile/WeChat/WhatsApp: +86 135 3425 6328

MSC has not disclosed whether TP9 will be reinstated after Golden Week or merged into another string, but the carrier confirmed that equipment repositioning surcharges will be waived for cargo rolled from 539E. Meanwhile, port authorities in Xiamen have opened a dedicated help-desk for affected BCOs.