MSC merges loops to create Med/Calif. Link

MSC merges loops to create Med/Calif. Link    Mediterranean Shipping Co. said Wednesday it is merging two services to ports in Central America with North America and the Mediterranean, creating a direct Med/U.S. West Coast link.
   The Swiss liner carrier will merge its Puma service, which links Central America with the U.S. West Coast, and its Panama/Med service, which links Central America to several Mediterranean ports.
   MSC said merging the two loops means the service will link the Mediterranean with U.S. West Coast ports on a direct service, rather than through transshipment in Panama.
   The new joint service will be renamed California Express and will be operated with the same eight vessels deployed on the two individual loops, MSC said. The combined rotation will be Gioia Tauro, Naples, La Spezia, Valencia, Cristobal, Balboa, Long Beach, Oakland, Balboa, Cristobal and Gioia Tauro.
   The changes take effect as of Sept. 15.