Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has become the first shipping line to deploy ultra-large container vessels with a capacity of 24,000 TEU on the African continent.
The vessels MSC DILETTA and MSC TÜRKIYE have been introduced on the Africa Express service, which links ports in China and South Korea with destinations in Southeast Asia and West Africa, including Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon.
Their deployment reflects an upgrade in West African port infrastructure and could influence regional trade dynamics.
The MSC DILETTA made its first call in Lomé, Togo, on 23 April, marking the arrival of the largest containerships to serve the region to date.
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MSC’s decision to deploy 24,000 TEU vessels to West Africa is driven by several key factors:
- Growth in Asia–West Africa trade: Trade volumes between Asia and West Africa are increasing rapidly. Deploying larger vessels enables the shipping giant to handle higher cargo volumes more efficiently along this route.
- Rising customer demand: The move responds to growing customer requirements for greater shipping capacity and improved logistics efficiency on the Asia–West Africa corridor.
- Infrastructure and connectivity investment: The deployment reflects MSC’s ongoing involvement in enhancing maritime infrastructure and connectivity in West Africa, which could contribute to the region’s broader economic development.
