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Business Insider
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Record-breaking megaships arrive West Africa as global shipping firm expands trade routes
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has made maritime history by becoming the first shipping line to deploy 24,000 TEU megaships on routes serving West Africa, marking a significant milestone in the region's integration into global trade networks. MSC has set a milestone by deploying 24,000 TEU megaships on West African routes. The vessels Diletta and Türkiye connect Asia with major West African ports like Lomé and Abidjan. Industry analysts expect increased trade volumes and infrastructure enhancements in the region. According to Container News, MSC has introduced the vessels Diletta and Türkiye on its Africa Express service, connecting major Asian export hubs, including China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, to key West African ports such as Lomé (Togo), Tema (Ghana), Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), and Douala (Cameroon). The MSC Diletta is a maritime giant, measuring 400 meters long and 61 meters wide, with a capacity of 23,964 TEUs. The MSC Turkiye is similarly massive at nearly 400 meters long and 61.3 meters wide, able to carry 24,346 TEUs, making it one of the largest container ships ever built. MSC Diletta made history with its April 23 maiden call at Lomé's port, setting a new benchmark as one of the largest container ships to ever dock in West Africa. The vessel has since visited Abidjan, further showcasing the region's growing ability to accommodate mega-vessels. The shipping company described the move as a strategic investment in Africa's trade future, going beyond a mere operational upgrade. " This deployment reflects our long-term commitment to the continent," the company stated, highlighting its goals to enhance trade capacity, strengthen regional connectivity, and drive economic growth and community development. Two factors shape MSC's strategy Growing Asia-West Africa Trade: Surging bilateral trade volumes prompted MSC to introduce ultra-large vessels, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in meeting rising demand. Supporting Africa's Growth: By upgrading infrastructure and logistics, MSC aims to play a pivotal role in the region's economic development, underscoring its strategic commitment. As 24,000 TEU vessels become a regular feature along the West African coast, industry analysts forecast far-reaching impacts on regional economies, including increased trade volumes, job creation, and port upgrades.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Port Strike in Bangladesh Causes Lingering Challenges Ahead of Ramadan
Intermittent strikes hit Bangladesh's Chittagong Port this month, impacting service. While the port workers have resumed their daily responsibilities, the lingering effects of last week's strike have already taken its toll on the port. The strike, which began Feb. 4, came to a final end on Feb. 7 and reportedly occurred after transport workers faced attacks from security employees at DC Park in Faujdarhat, Sitakunda. More from Sourcing Journal Garment Worker Safety in Bangladesh Risks 'Backslide Into Disaster' Port of Shanghai Surpasses 5 Million-TEU Monthly Throughput Ahead of Trump Tariffs State of the Denim Industry Report Exposes Ongoing Ethical Failures A report from The Loadstar Wednesday stated that 18 ships have yet to berth, and that officials expect that backlog could take at least two weeks to clear. A Tuesday report from Container News noted that, as of Monday morning, 14 container ships had been waiting to come into port. In addition to the ships yet to come into port, a pileup of cargo on land has begun. According to The Chittagong Port Authority, as of Tuesday, 37,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) have piled up in the port yard, as have other containers of various sizes. The cargo—both stuck on unmoored ships and in port yards—has yet to be loaded onto ships that are scheduled to leave from Chittagong, only adding to the chaos. According to Container News, the New Mooring container Terminal and the Chittagong Container Terminal have hit 80 percent capacity because of the impacts of the strike. Container News' report also noted that, as of earlier this week, at least six ships had to push their departure dates back, and left without several thousand containers. Container depots assigned to handle the outbound shipments have also become overwhelmed, contributing to the incoming ship pileup. The backlog onslaught by the strike comes just ahead of Ramadan. According to Bangladeshi census data, more than 90 percent of the country's population is Muslim, and TGM Research data from 2023 shows that nearly 99 percent of those who identify as Muslim in Bangladesh celebrate Ramadan, which begins Feb. 28 and ends March 29. During that month, Bangladeshi workers' hours are reduced significantly as compared with other operational periods throughout the year. That the religious holiday is just over two weeks away leaves little time for the already overwhelmed port to right itself and adjust back to normal scheduling. Muntasir Rubayat, director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents' Association (BSAA), told The Loadstar that the strike threw a wrench into the port's typical operations, and that 'With Ramadan approaching and reduced working hours expected, delays may escalate if not addressed promptly. To ensure smooth operations before the Eid closure, it is imperative to clear the backlog within the next 15 days,' Rubayat reportedly said. 'All stakeholders, particularly importers, berth operators/terminal operators and off-docks, must adopt a proactive approach to mitigate the crisis.'
