By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Lekki Port has recorded another milestone in its drive to position itself as West Africa’s leading maritime gateway with the commencement of a new weekly feeder service by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s largest container shipping lines.
The maiden voyage of the service, which berthed at the Lekki Deep Seaport on Monday, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s connectivity to major international trade routes while providing importers and exporters with improved access to MSC’s extensive global shipping network.
The new service establishes a strategic shipping link between Lekki Port and the Port of Lomé in Togo, where cargo will be transshipped to and from MSC’s global mainline services.
Under the arrangement, import cargo arriving through MSC’s worldwide network will be routed through Lomé before being distributed to Nigeria’s major ports, including Lekki Port, Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port. Similarly, export cargo originating from Lekki Port will be consolidated at Lomé for onward shipment to destinations across Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, North America and South America.
The development is expected to improve cargo connectivity, reduce transit bottlenecks and provide Nigerian shippers with more frequent and reliable shipping options, particularly for exports destined for international markets.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Wang Qiang, described the commencement of the weekly feeder service as a major milestone in the port’s growth trajectory, noting that it reflects the confidence global shipping lines have continued to place in the port’s infrastructure and operational capabilities.
According to him, the arrival of MSC’s service aligns with Lekki Port’s vision of becoming the preferred gateway and transshipment hub for West Africa.
“The commencement of MSC’s weekly feeder service is another important milestone in our journey to establish Lekki Port as the leading transshipment and gateway port in West Africa. This service provides our customers with faster, more efficient and reliable access to MSC’s extensive global shipping network through Lomé, creating new opportunities for Nigerian businesses to expand their reach into international markets while enhancing the competitiveness of the country’s import and export trade,” Qiang said.
The feeder operation is also expected to support cargo decongestion by creating additional routing options for shipping lines and cargo owners while improving the efficiency of supply chains serving Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Since commencing commercial operations, Lekki Deep Seaport has continued to attract major international shipping lines and has steadily expanded its portfolio of services. The latest partnership with MSC is seen as another indication of the port’s growing strategic importance within the Gulf of Guinea and the wider West African maritime corridor.
