VICTORIA International Container Terminal (VICT), an ICTSI subsidiary, has expanded its trade links to the Americas with the launch of MSC’s Eagle service.
The standalone service made its inaugural call at the Port of Melbourne on Feb. 3, 2026, with the arrival of the 2,556-TEU vessel Etoile. VICT CEO Bruno Porchietto stated that the Melbourne call leverages the terminal’s landside connectivity to reach production and consumption centers across Victoria and southern Australia.
“MSC’s decision to include VICT reflects confidence in our operational capability and alignment with customer priorities for reliability and efficiency. The service broadens access to the Americas while reinforcing Melbourne’s integration into key international trade lanes,” Porchietto said.
The Eagle service offers a streamlined routing option with fewer intermediate handling points than traditional multi-leg transshipment, enhancing transit predictability for cargo owners. Linking Australia and New Zealand to US East Coast ports — including Philadelphia and Savannah — the service utilizes a hub-and-spoke network in Panama. By calling at Rodman and Cristobal, it provides further connectivity to Europe, Central and South America, and the US Gulf via 11 vessels ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 TEUs.
The service is specifically designed to support Victoria’s high-value primary producers, as vessels like the Etoile provide significant reefer capacity for perishables and cold-chain exports. VICT’s automated operations move this time-sensitive cargo with minimal dwell time, ensuring efficient ship-to-shore handling and predictable vessel turnaround.
As Australia’s first fully automated container terminal, VICT adds 1.4 million TEUs of capacity to the Port of Melbourne. The facility is a flagship in the ICTSI global portfolio, which spans 34 terminals across 20 countries and focuses on modernizing infrastructure to unlock long-term value from maritime assets.
“Continuing investments in world-class automation enable us to provide the reliability and capacity customers need to scale their operations with confidence, knowing their shipments move through one of the most technologically advanced terminals in the world,” Porchietto added.
The weekly rotation calls at the following ports: Sydney – Melbourne – Brisbane – Wellington – Tauranga – Rodman – Cristobal – Philadelphia – Savannah – Freeport – Rodman – Papeete – Auckland – Sydney.