# ESL expands Far East–Africa network with new FAX services

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/esl-expands-far-east-africa-network-with-new-fax-services/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Helena Pierce
- **Published:** 2026-11-02T16:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-11-02T08:47:15+00:00
- **Section:** Services
- **Type:** Service update
- **Topics:** China, Container Shipping, Dar es Salaam, Emirates Shipping Line, ESL, Far East Africa Express, FAX2, FAX3, Kenya, Maputo, Mombasa, Mozambique, Port Klang, Shipping Services, Tanzania

## Service details

- **Carrier:** Emirates Shipping Line (ESL)
- **Service:** Far East Africa Express 2 (FAX2)/ Far East Africa Express 3 (FAX3)
- **Effective from:** 5 Dec 2026 / 25 Nov 2026
- **Route / ports:** Qingdao – Ningbo – Nansha – Port Klang – Mombasa – Qingdao/ Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Port Klang – Dar es Salaam – Maputo – Singapore – Shanghai

Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) has announced the launch of two new container shipping services linking China with East and Southeastern Africa, expanding its Far East–Africa network with additional connections to Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique.

The new Far East Africa Express 2 (FAX2) and Far East Africa Express 3 (FAX3) services are scheduled to commence in November and December 2026, respectively, complementing the carrier’s existing Far East Africa Express (FAX) service.

FAX2 will provide connections from the Chinese ports of Qingdao, Ningbo and Nansha to Mombasa in Kenya, with the first sailing scheduled to depart Qingdao on 5 December 2026.

The service will follow the rotation Qingdao – Ningbo – Nansha – Port Klang – Mombasa – Qingdao, providing a dedicated link between Chinese export markets and the East African gateway.

FAX3 will introduce a direct call at Maputo in Mozambique, alongside a connection to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The service is scheduled to begin with a departure from Shanghai on 25 November 2026.

Its rotation will be Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Port Klang – Dar es Salaam – Maputo – Singapore – Shanghai.

![Picture1](https://pelavox.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Picture1-1024x650.webp)

### Wider coverage across East and Southeastern Africa

The addition of FAX2 and FAX3 will expand ESL’s existing service coverage between the Far East and African markets.

The carrier’s established FAX service currently follows the rotation Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Port Klang – Dar es Salaam – Mombasa – Port Klang – Qingdao.

The three services will operate alongside one another, connecting major Chinese export ports with East African destinations and extending the network southwards to Mozambique.

According to ESL, the Maputo connection is intended to support cargo movements involving Mozambique and neighbouring inland markets, including Eswatini, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The expansion also maintains Port Klang and Singapore as connecting points within the carrier’s wider Asian network, depending on the individual service rotation.

ESL has not disclosed the vessels or capacities assigned to FAX2 and FAX3, nor has it specified the frequency or transit times of the new services.

The announced sailings represent an expansion of the carrier’s network rather than a replacement of its existing Far East Africa Express service.

---
Cite as: "ESL expands Far East–Africa network with new FAX services", pelavox., 2 November 2026, https://pelavox.com/esl-expands-far-east-africa-network-with-new-fax-services/