DP World Launches Weekly China-Africa Shipping Route Across 8 Ports
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DP World will launch a weekly container service linking export hubs in China and Southeast Asia directly with East and Southern Africa in late November 2026.
Operated by DP World’s Shipping Solutions AMEA unit, the China Africa Link connects three mainland Chinese gateways and two Southeast Asian transshipment hubs to Dar es Salaam and Maputo.
The scheduled rotation covers eight port calls, moving goods between Asia and African markets where DP World is spending $165 million to expand handling capacity in Mozambique.
Rotation Details and Port Calls
The scheduled port rotation runs Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Port Klang Westport, Dar es Salaam, Maputo, Singapore, and back to Shanghai. DP World Shipping Solutions AMEA will operate the weekly rotation to provide fixed-day departures for exporters across the region.
Cargo moving westbound will center on manufactured goods including electronics, construction materials, automotive components and industrial machinery. Eastbound vessels returning to Asia will load African mineral commodities and agricultural goods destined for Chinese processors and Southeast Asian regional distribution centers.
“Global trade is changing, and our customers need more than shipping capacity. They need reliable connections, greater choice and the flexibility to adapt as trade patterns evolve,” explains Ganesh Raj, Global COO, Marine Services at DP World.
“The scheduled rotation covers eight port calls, moving goods between Asia and African markets where DP World is spending $165 million to expand handling capacity in Mozambique.”
Direct Access for Consumer Supply Chains
For Asia-Pacific electronics manufacturers and automotive component exporters, the dedicated loop bypasses ad-hoc feeder transshipment at congested intermediate hubs. Direct calls at Port Klang and Singapore give shippers in Malaysia and surrounding ASEAN markets an immediate option to tap African buyers without secondary re-handling delays.
The service also tightens export pipelines for retail and wholesale merchandise leaving the Pearl River Delta via Nansha and the Yangtze River economic belt through Shanghai and Ningbo. Shippers gain reliable transit times for seasonal consumer inventory, cutting the buffer stock requirements typically carried for emerging market distribution.
Terminal Investments in Maputo and Dar es Salaam
DP World is tying the vessel rotations directly to its captive terminal infrastructure on the African east coast. The group is spending $165 million to expand the Maputo container terminal in Mozambique, a project aimed at doubling its existing container throughput capacity.
In Tanzania, DP World is modernizing the Port of Dar es Salaam through a $500m investment. Combining port ownership with proprietary maritime line strings lets the Dubai-based terminal operator manage berth windows and landside transfers internally, shielding its cargo from third-party terminal bottlenecks.
Global Footprint and Next Milestones
The network expansion builds on DP World’s broader capital deployment across global transport corridors, where it has committed more than US$10bn into logistics infrastructure. The company currently manages handling operations across 85 countries with a global capacity of 110 million TEU, handling approximately 10% of global trade every day.
With vessel rotations finalized, the China Africa Link begins its maiden voyages in late November 2026, when terminal operators in Shanghai, Ningbo, and Nansha begin accepting first export bookings for the maiden westbound loop.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which ports are included on the new China Africa Link rotation?
Which ports are included on the new China Africa Link rotation?
The service operates a weekly loop calling at eight ports: Shanghai, Ningbo, and Nansha in China; Port Klang Westport in Malaysia; Dar es Salaam in Tanzania; Maputo in Mozambique; and Singapore, before returning to Shanghai.
Q.What types of cargo will the service transport between Asia and Africa?
What types of cargo will the service transport between Asia and Africa?
Westbound shipments to Africa will focus on manufactured items, including electronics, construction materials, automotive components, and industrial machinery. Returning eastbound vessels will carry African mineral commodities and agricultural produce destined for Chinese processors and Southeast Asian regional distribution centres.
Q.How does the new route benefit retail and consumer goods supply chains?
How does the new route benefit retail and consumer goods supply chains?
The dedicated loop bypasses feeder transshipment at congested hubs, offering fixed-day departures and direct connections from Southeast Asia and Chinese manufacturing belts. This provides reliable transit times for retail merchandise and allows businesses to reduce the buffer stock normally held for emerging market distribution.
Q.What port infrastructure investments is DP World making in East Africa?
What port infrastructure investments is DP World making in East Africa?
DP World is investing $165 million to double the container handling capacity of Mozambique's Maputo container terminal. In Tanzania, it is spending $500 million to modernise the Port of Dar es Salaam, allowing the operator to manage berth windows and landside transfers internally.