MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company became the first shipping line to deploy mega-large container vessels with a capacity of 24,000 TEU on the African continent.
MSC announced on 23 April that the ultra-large container vessel MSC DILETTA made its first call in Lomé, Togo, marking the introduction of 24,000 TEU capacity ships on the Africa Express service. This service connects regions from China and South Korea through Southeast Asia to several West African ports, including Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon.
The deployment of these mega container vessels represents a significant advancement in West Africa’s port infrastructure and shipping capacity, with potential implications for the region’s economic activity and trade connectivity.
According to MSC, this development signals a n important shift in maritime logistics for West Africa, reflecting ongoing changes in global shipping patterns and regional trade dynamics.
As stated, several key factors have driven MSC’s decision to deploy these 24,000 TEU vessels to West Africa – mainly the rapid growth in trade between Asia and West Africa, the need to meet increasing customer demand for greater capacity and more efficient shipping on this important route and a commitment to supporting Africa’s economic development by enhancing trade infrastructure and connectivity.
