Casablanca – Global shipping company SeaLead has announced the launch of a new transatlantic service, MEDUS, which will establish a direct maritime link between Morocco, Türkiye, and the U.S. East Coast. This strategic expansion aims to enhance trade flows between these key regions, offering faster, more efficient logistics solutions for exporters and importers alike.

The MEDUS service, set to operate bi-weekly, will connect ports in Mersin, Istanbul, Gebze, Aliaga (Türkiye), and Casablanca (Morocco) with New York and Norfolk (United States). The inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart from Mersin on March 29, 2025.

A new trade corridor for key markets

The introduction of MEDUS represents a significant step in strengthening commercial ties between North Africa, Southern Europe, and North America. The direct maritime link reduces reliance on indirect routes and transshipment hubs, allowing for shorter transit times and improved supply chain reliability.

This new service is particularly advantageous for Moroccan and Turkish exporters, who will benefit from a streamlined route to the U.S. market. Moroccan businesses, especially those in agriculture and manufacturing, will see faster delivery times for perishable goods such as citrus fruits, vegetables, and seafood, as well as industrial products. Similarly, Türkiye, a major manufacturing hub for automobiles, textiles, and consumer goods, will gain more direct access to North American buyers.

According to Suleyman Avci, Global CEO of SeaLead, the new service is designed to improve efficiency and competitiveness:

“With MEDUS, we are offering a direct and reliable trade route between the Mediterranean and the United States. This initiative strengthens our role in transatlantic commerce, complements our existing routes, and provides businesses with improved transit times and greater flexibility.”

Enhancing trade and logistics connectivity

The launch of MEDUS aligns with SeaLead’s broader expansion strategy, which focuses on enhancing global trade networks. By integrating feeder services from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Spain, Greece, and Romania, the company aims to improve connectivity for businesses across the Mediterranean region.

This interconnection strengthens Morocco’s position as a strategic maritime hub between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Casablanca, already a key transit point for West African trade, is set to gain greater prominence as a gateway for goods moving between Africa and the United States.

Mark Lee, Regional Managing Director for North America at SeaLead, emphasized the importance of this development:

“MEDUS enhances our North American market coverage, allowing us to serve clients on both coasts. By bridging the Mediterranean and the U.S. East Coast, alongside our existing transpacific service, we are enabling businesses to optimize their logistics operations.”

Impact on maritime trade and economic growth

The introduction of MEDUS is expected to support economic growth in the participating countries by providing businesses with more cost-effective and efficient shipping solutions. Reducing transit times will help companies lower inventory costs, improve supply chain management, and enhance market competitiveness.

For Morocco, whose exports to the U.S. include phosphates, textiles, and agricultural products, this new route could lead to increased trade volumes and greater economic integration with North American partners. Similarly, for Türkiye, a nation with strong industrial and manufacturing sectors, the service provides an opportunity to diversify export markets and strengthen economic ties with the U.S.

Additionally, the maritime sector itself is set to benefit, with new job opportunities likely to emerge in port operations, logistics, and related industries. Increased shipping activity could drive infrastructure investments in ports such as Casablanca, further improving their capacity to handle global trade flows.

SeaLead’s expanding global presence

Founded in 2017, SeaLead has rapidly expanded its operations to become a significant player in international shipping. With headquarters in Singapore and a regional office in Dubai, the company has steadily grown its network to include major trade routes across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and now North America.

In addition to MEDUS, SeaLead recently launched new services connecting India to the Red Sea and strengthened links between the Middle East and the Mediterranean with the MGX service. These expansions reflect the company’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity and supporting international trade growth.

The launch of the MEDUS service marks a major development in maritime logistics, providing businesses in Morocco, Türkiye, and the wider Mediterranean region with a faster, more reliable trade route to the United States. As SeaLead continues to expand its global footprint, this new corridor is expected to play a key role in boosting transatlantic trade, improving supply chains, and strengthening economic ties between these regions.