PTML Terminal has announced the arrival of MV Great Cotonou, the first Container Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) vessel offering a direct shipping route from Shanghai to Lagos. This groundbreaking service, operated by the Grimaldi Group, reduces transit times to just 27 days, enhancing logistics efficiency and providing Nigerian businesses with a faster, cost-effective trade link to China.
In a significant boost to maritime trade between China and Nigeria, PTML Terminal has introduced a direct shipping route with the arrival of MV Great Cotonou, a state-of-the-art Container RORO vessel. Owned by the Grimaldi Group, this service marks a major advancement in regional trade, offering Nigerian importers the fastest transit time of 27 days from Shanghai to Lagos.
Unlike traditional shipping services that require transhipment at intermediary ports, the direct route eliminates delays and additional handling costs, ensuring faster and more reliable delivery. The vessel’s unique multimodal transport solution allows Nigerian businesses to receive containerised cargo, vehicles (including cars, vans, and trucks), and project cargo all on the same ship. This streamlined approach reduces overall logistics costs and enhances supply chain efficiency.
Ascanio Russo, Managing Director of PTML Terminal, described the arrival of MV Great Cotonou as a pivotal moment for Nigerian importers. “We have the infrastructure, the expertise, the human capital, and we will offer a great service to our importers and exporters. The arrival of this ship will definitely create many more opportunities for our terminal, workers, host community, and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
To accommodate the new service, PTML Terminal has invested heavily in upgrading its facilities. The terminal recently acquired a mobile harbour crane worth over 10millionandupgradeditsquaysideinfrastructurewithanadditional10millionandupgradeditsquaysideinfrastructurewithanadditional5 million investment. These enhancements ensure seamless operations and reinforce the terminal’s capability to handle large-scale shipments.
Andrea Grimaldi, a member of the Grimaldi family, highlighted the strategic importance of the direct shipping route. “Our goal is to create a fast and efficient trade link between Shanghai and West Africa, particularly Lagos. The Great Cotonou offers a direct connection with a rapid 27-day transit. We are starting with Shanghai, but as demand grows, we plan to expand our coverage to other Chinese ports and beyond,” he said.
The new service strengthens Lagos’s position as a key hub in global maritime logistics and boosts Nigeria’s role as a leading player in West African trade. With state-of-the-art facilities, easy port access, and a dedicated workforce, PTML Terminal is well-equipped to handle the demands of this innovative shipping route.
The launch of the direct shipping route from Shanghai to Lagos with MV Great Cotonou represents a transformative development for Nigerian businesses and the broader maritime industry. By reducing transit times, lowering logistics costs, and offering a multimodal transport solution, PTML Terminal and the Grimaldi Group are setting new standards for efficiency and reliability in international trade. This initiative not only enhances Nigeria’s trade capabilities but also solidifies its position as a strategic hub in West Africa’s economic landscape.
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