Onne port welcomes direct shipping route linking Nigeria to Europe and Asia

The MV LETO, the first vessel under the Europe Afrique 4 (EURAF4) service, berthed at Onne Port in Rivers State on Tuesday, marking the launch of a direct weekly shipping link between Nigeria and major European and Asian markets.

Operated by global shipping giant CMA CGM in collaboration with WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, the EURAF4 service aims to enhance trade efficiency by reducing transit times and eliminating transshipment delays.

“Today, with the arrival of MV LETO, we mark the first call for the EURAF4 service, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the Eastern port,” said Hinelder Ferreira, managing director of CMA CGM Nigeria. “This service will significantly improve connectivity between Europe, Asia, and Onne, strengthening both import and export trade routes.”

Nigerian importers and exporters can now benefit from a seamless logistics chain, cost reductions, and improved supply chain efficiency.

“The more vessels we have, the more revenue we generate for the country,” said Raymond Abdulraham, port manager at Onne.

At the terminal, officials believe that the milestone not only strengthens international business confidence but also encourages shipping lines to inject additional capacity into the region.

“With these enhanced capabilities, we anticipate increased trade volumes, which will, in turn, drive further economic growth in Eastern Nigeria,” said Frederik Klinke, ceo of APM Terminals Nigeria.

He noted the container terminal’s efforts to improve infrastructure including a $115 million investment in upgrades for “mobile harbour cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes, an expanded yard, and cutting-edge IT infrastructure.”