Tailwind swaps Colombo for Xiamen on Tiger Express service

Tailwind Shipping Lines will drop Colombo from its Tiger Express (TEX) service in December 2026, shifting the fortnightly loop to include Xiamen and prioritize direct China-Bangladesh trade.

The adjustment introduces a Chinese port call to the carrier’s rotation connecting Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The revised itinerary will remove the Sri Lankan port of Colombo entirely, according to Tailwind.

Under the new arrangement, the TEX service will follow a rotation of Port Kelang, Xiamen, Ho Chi Minh City, Port Kelang, Chattogram, and back to Port Kelang. The service will maintain its fortnightly frequency using two container vessels with capacities of approximately 1,900 TEU.

This revision follows a previous expansion in June 2025, when Tailwind added Ho Chi Minh City and Port Kelang to the service. The carrier has not yet provided a specific date for the first sailing under the revised December 2026 rotation.

Why it matters

The move signals a strategic shift for Tailwind, trading a major South Asian transshipment hub for direct access to the Chinese market. By replacing Colombo with Xiamen, the carrier is prioritizing the China-Bangladesh trade lane over the broader connectivity offered by Sri Lankan transshipment.

For cargo owners in Bangladesh and Vietnam, the addition of Xiamen provides a direct link to a major Chinese gateway. This connects the Chinese port to existing Southeast Asian and Bangladeshi destinations, likely streamlining the movement of goods between these manufacturing hubs.

The decision to maintain 1,900 TEU vessels on a fortnightly schedule suggests Tailwind is doubling down on a specific regional niche. By using smaller tonnage, the carrier can maintain frequency on a route that now links three of Asia’s most active manufacturing and export regions: China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh.

For the port of Colombo, the removal of the TEX service means the loss of a regular connection to the Bangladesh and Southeast Asia markets. While the service is fortnightly, its departure removes a specific option for shippers who relied on the Sri Lankan hub to bridge these regions.

What to watch

The specific launch date for the revised rotation in December 2026 will determine when shippers must adjust their booking patterns to account for the loss of the Colombo connection.

Source: Container News