In a move set to redefine outbound shipping from Nigeria, SIFAX Shipping Company Ltd. has announced the launch of a direct Less-than-Container Load (LCL) export service to the United Kingdom. The development, which is in partnership with Netcargo UK Limited, a subsidiary of the Net Cargo Group, marks a major breakthrough for Nigerian exporters, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), who have long grappled with the challenges of cross-border logistics, high costs, and delays caused by transshipment processes.
In a press statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications at SIFAX Group, Olumuyiwa Akande, the company noted that the new export service allows Nigerian businesses to ship goods directly to the UK without routing through third-party countries. The initiative, according to the statement, will significantly reduce turnaround time, cut costs, minimize risk, and improve the predictability of delivery schedules.
Mr. Adekunle Owobamirin, General Manager, Groupage and Export Services at SIFAX Shipping, noted that the service would empower local businesses to compete more confidently on the international stage. “This is one of the most important moves we’ve made in advancing our export portfolio. We’re now positioned to offer uninterrupted export services to the UK market, giving our clients the ease and confidence they need to grow their international trade volumes,” he said.
In addition to the UK export service, SIFAX Shipping has also entered into strategic partnerships with WSC Logistics and Shotto Logistics Limited to enhance its import operations. The deal enables shipments from countries like India and China to be routed directly through SIFAX’s bonded terminals and warehouses in Nigeria. The collaboration, described as a third-party consolidator model, provides smaller logistics firms access to SIFAX’s infrastructure and technical capabilities.
Owobamirin revealed that the initiative has already commenced with trial shipments in June, while full-scale operations ramped up in July. “Our bonded warehouse operations have been upgraded to accommodate the surge in volume. The collaboration allows us to clear and dispatch cargo seamlessly, ensuring that goods keep moving and clients experience minimal delays,” he said.
He added that by improving direct export routes, especially to the UK, Nigerian businesses will benefit from reduced trade barriers and overall costs. He also noted that the increased import volumes through the new partnerships are expected to generate more employment opportunities and increase revenue for stakeholders across the logistics value chain.
