A multifunctional terminal operator, PTML Terminal, has announced the arrival of the first container roll-on roll-off vessel, the MV Great Cotonou, which will provide direct services from Shanghai to Lagos.
In a statement issued on Saturday, February 15, 2025, the terminal operator noted that the vessel’s arrival signals a significant improvement in maritime trade between China and Nigeria, lowering transit times and improving logistics efficiency.
It further stated that the MV Great Cotonou, operated by the Grimaldi Group, will alter regional trade by providing the shortest passage time on this route, just 27 days.
According to the terminal, unlike other shipping services that need transhipment at intermediate ports, “This direct service ensures faster and more reliable delivery for Nigerian importers, eliminating delays and additional handling costs.”
According to the terminal, this new method allows Nigerian enterprises to receive not just containerised cargo but also vehicles such as automobiles, vans, trucks, and project cargo on the same vessel.
“This unique multimodal transport solution presents a substantial logistical advantage, streamlining supply chains and reducing overall costs for importers,” the terminal said in a statement.
Ascanio Russo, Managing Director of PTML, emphasised that the arrival of the vessel is a watershed moment for Nigerian importers.
He stated that the vessel will drastically reduce travel times and logistics costs while providing unparalleled convenience by accommodating multiple types of cargo in a single consignment.
“We have the infrastructure, expertise, and human capital, and we will provide excellent service to our import and export customers. “The arrival of this ship will undoubtedly create numerous new opportunities for our terminal, workers, host community, and Nigeria as a whole,” Russo stated.
According to Russo, the vessel is the largest container RORO ship arriving in Africa.
He emphasised that the facility had updated its capabilities to accommodate this sort of vessel.
“We recently purchased a large mobile harbour crane that cost more than $10 million. Also, we had to update our infrastructure, including the quayside, with an investment of over $5 million, merely to accommodate these ships,” Russo stated.
Andrea Grimaldi, a member of the Grimaldi family, stated, “Our goal is to establish a speedy and efficient commerce link between Shanghai and West Africa, notably Lagos. The Great Cotonou provides a direct connection with a quick 27-day voyage. We’re starting with Shanghai, but if demand rises, we intend to extend to other Chinese ports and beyond.”
He emphasised that with the historic development, Nigerian businesses and logistics operators now have access to a speedier, more efficient, and cost-effective trading route with China.
“The direct Shanghai-to-Lagos route reinforces Lagos as a key hub in global maritime logistics, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading player in West African trade,” said Grimaldi.
