Insider Spotlight
The standalone Eagle service made its first call at VICT on Feb. 3 with the arrival of the 2,556-TEU vessel Etoile, expanding direct shipping options between Australia, New Zealand and the US East Coast.
Why it matters
The new service provides exporters and importers with a streamlined route to key US East Coast ports, including Philadelphia and Savannah, through a hub-and-spoke network in Panama.
By reducing intermediate handling compared with multi-leg transshipment routes, the Eagle service improves transit predictability and supply chain flexibility for cargo owners navigating volatile global trade conditions.
The big picture
The rotation covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington, Tauranga, Rodman, Cristobal, Philadelphia, Savannah, Freeport, Rodman, Papeete, Auckland and back to Sydney on a weekly loop.
The service deploys 11 vessels ranging from 2,500 TEUs to 4,500 TEUs, offering consistent capacity for agricultural producers, manufacturers and retailers seeking reliable transpacific links.
For Victoria exporters, particularly high-value primary producers, the service is well suited to perishables and temperature-sensitive goods. Vessels such as Etoile provide substantial reefer capacity, supporting cold-chain logistics critical to meat, dairy and fresh produce shipments.
What they’re saying
“MSC’s decision to include VICT in the Eagle service reflects confidence in our operational capability and alignment with customer priorities around reliability and efficiency. The service broadens access to the Americas for our customers while reinforcing Melbourne’s integration into key international trade lanes,” Bruno Porchietto, VICT chief executive officer, said in a press statement on Feb. 12, 2026.
“Continuing investments in world-class automation and infrastructure enable us to provide the reliability and capacity customers need to scale their operations with confidence, knowing their shipments are moving through one of the most technologically advanced terminals in the world,” Porchietto added.
By the numbers
VICT, located at Webb Dock East, delivers an additional 1.4 million TEUs of capacity to the Port of Melbourne. As Australia’s first fully automated container terminal, it leverages advanced digital systems and optimized waterside productivity to ensure predictable vessel turnaround and efficient landside cargo movement.
Bottom line
The Eagle service enhances Melbourne’s trade reach into the Americas while underscoring ICTSI’s strategy of investing in origin and destination terminals that anchor regional supply chains and drive long-term port growth. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
