In January 2025, the Grimaldi Group will launch a new monthly shipping service connecting China to Lagos, Nigeria, reinforcing the strategic importance of the PTML terminal at Tin Can Island Port as a premier logistics and transshipment hub for West Africa. This new service will be inaugurated by the maiden voyage of the “Great Cotonou”, the latest addition to Grimaldi’s cutting-edge G5-class fleet of ro-ro multipurpose vessels.
The service will complement the operations of the “Great Lagos”, which made its first call to Nigeria in December 2023, creating a robust logistics link between Asia, Africa, and Brazil.
This development builds on Grimaldi’s efforts to position the PTML terminal at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, as a major logistics hub.
In a groundbreaking achievement in July, PTML handled the transshipment of 5,489 new vehicles aboard the Grimaldi vessel “Grande Houston”, making it the first West African port to facilitate such large-scale vehicle logistics. These vehicles, loaded in China, were transshipped to ports across Europe and Africa, further solidifying PTML’s strategic importance.
The new China-Lagos service will handle a diverse range of cargo, including rolling stock (cars, trucks, construction, and agricultural machinery) and containerized goods.
Shipments arriving in Lagos will be transshipped at PTML for delivery to other key ports in West Africa and Brazil, reinforcing PTML’s reputation as a vital hub for vehicle logistics in the region.
Delivered on December 20 at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, the “Great Cotonou” represents a technological leap in shipping. This 250-meter-long vessel, with a beam of 38 meters and a deadweight of 45,684 tonnes, is part of Grimaldi’s six-vessel G5-class fleet designed to meet diverse client needs. Its custom configuration enables the transport of 4,700 linear meters of rolling cargo, 2,500 car equivalent units (CEUs), and 2,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers—doubling the container capacity of the previous G4-class ships.
The “Great Cotonou” and its sister vessels are equipped with advanced technologies to enhance energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact. These innovations reduce CO2 emissions per transported tonne by up to 43% compared to older Grimaldi vessels. Additionally, the ship supports cold ironing, enabling it to connect to shoreside electricity in ports that offer this infrastructure, reducing fossil fuel use during docked operations.
“These innovations underline our commitment to offering customers a high-capacity, environmentally sustainable transport network,” said Gian Luca Grimaldi, President of the Grimaldi Group, during the ship’s christening ceremony on December 17. “With the ‘Great Cotonou’ and the new China-Lagos-Brazil route, we are proud to extend our services and strengthen our leadership in global logistics.
The launch of this service underscores Grimaldi Group’s commitment to expanding its global reach while prioritising sustainability. As the “Great Cotonou” embarks on its maiden voyage in January, it will symbolise not just a new chapter in shipping but also a step forward for greener and more efficient global trade.
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