The MV Great Cotonou, the first container-roll-on/roll-off (Con-Ro) vessel providing a direct route between Shanghai and Lagos, docked at the PTML Terminal.
Operated by the Grimaldi Group, this vessel significantly reduces transit time to just 27 days by eliminating the need for stops at intermediary ports. With this new service, Nigerian importers can receive both containerized cargo and vehicles—including cars, trucks, and project cargo—on the same ship.
The Great Cotonou, a G5 class vessel, measures 250 meters in length, 38 meters in width, and has a deadweight of 45,864 tonnes. It has the capacity to transport 4,700 linear meters of rolling freight, 2,500 Car Equivalent Units (CEU), and 2,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU).
Supply chain efficiency
Ascanio Russo, Managing Director of PTML, emphasized the vessel’s importance, calling it the largest container-RoRo ship to arrive in Africa. The direct route is expected to simplify logistics, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain efficiency for businesses that previously depended on indirect routes with multiple stopovers.
Obiora Madu, Director General of the African Centre for Supply Chain, highlighted the financial benefits of the route, stating that cutting transit time by 10 days could significantly lower the cost of doing business.
Andrea Grimaldi, speaking on behalf of the Grimaldi family, described the new service as a response to increasing trade demand. He noted that while the service currently connects Shanghai to Lagos, future expansions could include additional Chinese ports.
Trade between Nigeria and China has grown over the years, but Nigeria has experienced a significant trade deficit. In 2023, reports indicated a net export loss of over $15.49 billion to China. However, experts believe this direct shipping link could help improve Nigeria’s trade balance by facilitating more exports to China.
Madu expressed optimism that the improved trade route could lead to lower costs for goods and services in Nigeria. “If operating costs drop, businesses are likely to pass on those savings to consumers,” he said.
Grimaldi Group has also invested over $15 million in infrastructure upgrades at the PTML terminal, including acquiring a mobile harbor crane, to better support this new shipping service. Russo emphasized that these investments would create new opportunities for Nigerian businesses, port workers, and the local community.