Nigeria is becoming a new hub for the transshipment and redistribution of new cars from Asia to Europe
The Red Sea crisis and the circumnavigation of Africa have led the Grimaldi Group to launch a new line for the transport of new cars and to designate the Nigerian port of Lagos as a new transshipment hub for the transshipment of rolling cargo from Asia to Europe.
Port & Terminal Multiservice (Ptml)
The local Nigerian press has revealed that the Port & Terminal Multiservice (PTML), the main multi-functional roll-on roll-off (RO/RO) port terminal in West Africa controlled in the Lagos area by the Italian shipping group, has emerged as a key logistics hub for the transshipment of vehicles headed to Europe.
The novelty began with the arrival of the car carrier ship Grande Houston at the port of Tin Can Island, inaugurating a new era for Nigerian ports.
Greater Houston
The Greater Houston docked at PTML to unload 5,489 new vehicles, all from China and destined for various European and African ports; this was a historic event as it was the first time a West African port had received such a large cargo of new vehicles from a single vessel.
PTML’s operational efficiency was put under stress as the terminal handled the unloading of these vehicles in less than three days; the subsequent re-loading of the vehicles onto ships bound for their final destinations in Europe and Africa was completed in a week.
Robust security measures
Ascanio Russo, Managing Director of PTML Nigeria, attributed the terminal’s success to operational excellence, robust security measures, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. “Grimaldi’s selection of PTML as their transshipment hub is a testament to the terminal’s exceptional operational standards and security protocols.
Chinese auto manufacturers
Our world-class infrastructure, advanced equipment and highly trained personnel were key factors in convincing both the Chinese auto manufacturers and the Italian shipping company to designate PTML as their hub,” Russo explained.
The same manager also announced that the success of the Grande Houston has paved the way for Grimaldi to launch a new direct RO- RO service between China and Nigeria.
RO-RO service
“This marks the first-ever dedicated RO-RO service connecting China and Nigeria, providing a fast and efficient route for the import of transportable goods, including cars, vans, trucks, and equipment.
With a transit time of less than 25 days between Shanghai and Lagos, this service is significantly faster than traditional container and general cargo vessels and is unique for its direct route from China.”
Grimaldi supports the Food for Gaza initiative
It is noteworthy that the Grimaldi Group was the free transport of a mobile scanner offered by the Gioia Tauro Port Authority that will be of extreme importance for Gaza, the Palestinian territory which has been the epicentre of clashes for nine months now, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties.
Vessel Grande Europa
The scanner was transported on board the vessel Grande Europa from Gioia Tauro (Italy) to Limassol (Cyprus): this X-ray inspection device can check all types of goods and will allow the inspection of food aid for Gaza to prevent the risk of package tampering.
