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HMM Deploys First Hub-and-Spoke Service Linking Mediterranean to West Africa

Hyundai Merchant Marine initiated its maiden hub-and-spoke network service yesterday, connecting Spain and West Africa through the MA2 route. The service deploys five feeder vessels operating between Algeciras—where HMM operates a terminal—and ports in Tangier, Dakar, Tema, Leki, and Abidjan. The strategy directs large vessels to primary ocean corridors while feeder ships handle regional connections, improving schedule reliability on the Far East-India-Mediterranean lane. By rerouting calls to congested West African ports through the feeder network, HMM enhances punctuality for ultra-large vessels and enables flexible port adjustments. The carrier aims to expand vessel-feeder connections at major global hub ports. Investments in deepwater terminals, including Togo's Lome Container Terminal, support the regional hub model while reducing logistics costs. Since 2025, HMM has acquired 27 feeder ships, comprising 22 newbuildings.