HMM has successfully restructured and launched its revised Mediterranean Service 2 (MD2) and Korea Middle East – Pacific South (KMP) services, with both becoming operational in early September 2025. This strategic realignment involved splitting the former MP2 service into two separate, enhanced offerings, optimizing connectivity and service reliability across these critical global trade lanes.
The new MD2 service, now operating as a dedicated Asia-Mediterranean loop, commenced with the first sailing of the HYUNDAI NEPTUNE 040W, which departed Pusan on September 7, 2025.
Port Rotation:
Pusan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung – Shekou – Singapore – (CoGH) – Tangier – Valencia – Barcelona – Genoa – Fos – (CoGH) – Singapore – Pusan
The service offers extensive coverage in the West Mediterranean, with direct calls across Spain, Italy, France, and Morocco. Significantly, Tangier is leveraged as a vital transshipment hub for freight destined for North Africa. On the eastbound leg, the MD2 provides an express service from the West Mediterranean back to Pusan and Central China, while connecting numerous Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam and Thailand via transshipment in Singapore.
The Transpacific segment of the disbanded MP2 service was successfully integrated with the existing Korea Middle East Express (KME) to form the newly comprehensive Korea Middle East – Pacific South (KMP) service. This route provides an integrated connection spanning Asia, the Middle East, and the US West Coast. The Transpacific segment began with the YM WONDERLAND 028E departing Singapore on September 4, 2025, and the Asia – Middle East segment was inaugurated by the HMM DAON 019W from Xingang on September 8, 2025.
The KMP Transpacific rotation now features direct links to the US West Coast ports of Long Beach and Oakland. This includes a valuable direct service from the Middle East to the US West Coast and a direct connection from the US West Coast back to North China, calling at Dalian and Xingang.
Furthermore, the Asia – Middle East segment has expanded its reach. The new port of call at Dalian offers shippers an additional option for cargo moving from North China to the Middle East. The service also increased its Southeast Asia coverage, now including Laem Chabang (Thailand) and Cai Mep (Vietnam) as direct connections from the Middle East. The Middle East portion of the loop provides extensive coverage, linking Singapore with Jebel Ali, Dammam, Jubail, Hamad, Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali again, and Sohar.
