OCEAN carriers are upgrading their West African service that calls in Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d'lvoire and Congo that connects West Africa to China, Southeast Asia, and India,reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
Maersk and CMA CGM now offer weekly service of thirteen 13,000 to 15,000 TEUers, the largest LNG-fuelled containerships to dock at the new Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The 13,000-TEU Maersk Edirne became the first vessel on the newly expanded service setting the record as the largest containership to dock in Nigeria.
Nigerian officials highlight that the arrival came as the Lekki port prepares to mark its first anniversary for commercial operations.
The Freeport Terminal, which is managed and operated by the CMA CGM, is a multi-user facility that CMA CGM calls "a game-changing infrastructure for Nigeria and West Africa."
The first phase, which opened in February 2023, has a capacity of 1.2 million TEU with five ship- to-shore cranes. When completed, the port will have a total of over 3,900 feet of berth with a depth of over 52 feet and the capacity to handle 2.5 million TEU.
CMA CGM highlights that the port serves as a mega transshipment hub, especially to Nigeria's neighbouring countries in the Gulf of Guinea, including Togo and Benin.
The carriers and Nigeria highlight the growth on the route as a critical contributor to the West African supply chain and economies.CMA CGM refers to the "immense potential of Africa
logistics," saying that the expansion of the route is paving the way for a dynamic and growing economy in the region.
