ECU Worldwide Patners SIFAX Shipping To Launch First LCL Consolidation Service In Nigeria
. First Shipping From Apapa Port To Antwerp Hub Scheduled For August
By Sulaimon Salau
ECU Worldwide, Allcargo Logistics’ wholly-owned global subsidiary and a leader in LCL consolidation, has partnered with SIFAX Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, to introduce LCL consolidation services to the exporters especially the SMEs in Nigeria.
ECU Worldwide is the only company in Nigeria to offer outbound LCL consolidation services. Launch of the LCL consolidation service will help ECU Worldwide serve unmet demand for cost-effective transportation and exports of low-value products and commodities in the region such as agri-commodities, solid minerals, oil producing machineries for repairing etc. across the world.
Since Nigeria is rich in agricultural crops such as cashew nuts, groundnut, etc., Small and medium scale businesses dealing in such agri commodities will now have a large scale and cost-effective global market access.
As a part of the collaboration, FMA-Line Nigeria Limited, a 100% subsidiary of ECU Worldwide in Nigeria, has started accepting the consignments from the exporters at the Ijora Bonded Terminal of SIFAX Group.
The first sailing is scheduled on August 6, 2024 from Apapa Port to ECU Worldwide’s Antwerp hub and it will use Hapag-Lloyd shipping line service.
ECU Worldwide currently offers track and trace facility for the exporters in Nigeria on ECU 360, its integrated digital tool for shipping.
Going forward, the company has plans to launch services on the digital platform to help customers obtain freight quotes and book shipments online.
Commenting on the association, CEO- Middle East & Africa Region ECU Worldwide, Rahul Rai, said: “We are excited to enter into a consolidator partnership with SIFAX to provide dedicated LCL export services from Nigeria to various global destinations. There is a steady growth in demand for an efficient LCL consolidation service with global delivery competency in Nigeria, with our LCL export consolidation services and global network with over 300 offices across 180 countries with over 2400 direct trade lanes, we offer a cost-efficient solution to the exporters- primarily the small and medium-size businesses in Nigeria with reduced shipping time and wider access to global markets. We aim to get a first-mover advantage in this region.”
Managing Director, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, Paul Liden, said, “The collaboration with ECU Worldwide known for its global LCL delivery capabilities will have a transformative impact on the foreign trade landscape in Nigeria. Together, we are now well-positioned to offer broader global market access to growth-focused SMEs in the country. The LCL consolidation division at our Ijora Bonded Terminal is operating at full capacity and the association with ECU Worldwide offers hassle-free and seamless freight transportation to the businesses in this region.”
The Antwerp hub of ECU Worldwide act as a point of deconsolidation in the freight transit and from the hub, the consignments move to various destinations across the globe on the ECU network.
In addition, ECU Worldwide continues with its regular ongoing Inbound LCL consignments which move with shipping services such as MSC, ONE Line, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM.
ECU Worldwide has meanwhile opened office at Port Harcourt to cater to the companies in the oil and gas sector and the company has plans to expand its business further in the northern part of Nigeria i.e. cities like Abuja, the capital of Nigeria and Kano to boost project business, diplomatic and UN cargo and trading business.
