Evergreen Marine launches China-Maputo container service
New AEF5 route offers Gauteng importers an alternative to Durban, with a shorter rail link from Maputo.
Evergreen Marine will start a new container service connecting China to Mozambique's port of Maputo on November 25, 2026. The AEF5 service's first vessel departs Shanghai, with stops in Ningbo, Nansha, Port Klang, Dar es Salaam, and Maputo before returning via Singapore. This route provides Gauteng importers with a new option for shipments from China, aiming to bypass potential border delays.
The port of Maputo offers a rail distance of 584 kilometers to Johannesburg, shorter than Durban's 720 kilometers, according to World Bank data. However, the actual delivery time and cost depend on shipping schedules, inland transport charges, and customs clearance at the Ressano Garcia and Komatipoort border posts. Maputo Port Development Company aims for a terminal capacity of 530,000 TEUs.
The commercial benefit for Gauteng importers hinges on whether the total door-to-door transit time and cost from Maputo can compete with the Durban route. Evergreen has not yet announced the sailing frequency or available capacity for the AEF5 service. This new route complements Evergreen's existing SAF service, which already serves Durban and Cape Town.
Why it mattersMozambican port of Maputo gains a new container service from China, potentially impacting trade routes and logistics for importers in Gauteng.