Japanese Shipping Giant ONE Connects Iraq’s Umm Qasr Port to Global Network
Sea News – International Service – Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) is expanding its global service network with the launch of two new international shipping routes: one connecting Indian ports to Iraq’s Umm Qasr and another linking Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This move is part of ONE’s strategy to strengthen its presence on key trade corridors and facilitate smoother cargo flows across international routes.
India–Gulf Service 2 (IG2)
The IG2 service will commence on 25 September 2025, covering ports including Mundra, Navashiva, Jebel Ali, and Umm Qasr. The new route aims to provide more predictable cargo transit to Iraq while reinforcing ONE’s position along the India–Gulf trade corridor. With this service, cargo flows to Iraq are expected to improve, complementing ONE’s existing coverage in the Gulf region.
Spain–Portugal–Morocco (SPM) Service
In parallel, ONE will launch a biweekly service on 16 October 2025 from Valencia, Spain, to Casablanca, Morocco, calling at Valencia, Lisbon, and Casablanca. The SPM service is designed to strengthen trade links between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco while enhancing access to ONE’s global shipping network. Valencia’s transport hub will play a central role in connecting these routes to the international network.
Strategic Outlook
These new services reflect ONE’s ongoing efforts to expand its multi-modal services and enhance domestic and international logistics capabilities. The India–Iraq route is expected to significantly improve cargo flows along a critical Middle Eastern corridor, while the Spain–Morocco route will facilitate trade between Europe and North Africa.
Previously, carriers including HMM, Yang Ming, and ONE had announced coordinated updates to their Asia–Mediterranean, Pacific, and Middle East services, highlighting the continuing global development of container shipping networks.
