Hapag Lloyd has launched a new service for Africa. This is the first of its kind by the world’s 5^th largest shipping line, the MIAX (Middle East-India-Africa Express) service connects South Africa and West Africa to the Middle East and beyond.  Hapag-Lloyd is by this initiative developing its position in Africa and creating the capacity for further growth in Africa.

The new service is designed to offer direct connections and fast transit times between the Persian Gulf, India, Colombo (Sri Lanka), La Réunion through to South and West Africa.

“The new MIAX service enables us to offer our customers very attractive transit times between South and West Africa, Middle East and India, at the same time, we are integrating Africa even more tightly into our global network” says Samad Osman, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd’s Area Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Port Services Limited (MPS) Mr. Mohamed Samara mentioned some of the key developments at the MPS Terminal 3 leading to the attainment of the status of a shipping hub.

The Terminal 3 has been developed with sustainable infrastructure fitted with superstructure and the best of the world’s technology to aid its operations. 

 “The efficiency, accessibility, frequency of calls, number of shipping lines, the short waiting time at anchorage, fast vessel turnaround time, higher port capacity and berth availability are the optimal criteria for making Terminal 3 a hub for Africa. Moreover, Tema Port has the highest throughput per vessel call in west Africa making it the ideal first port of call and transhipment hub.” Said Mr Samara.

Commenting on the new development, Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr. Peter Mac Manu emphasized that Ghana was ready as a nation to consolidate the gains from this partnership.

“With the rolling out of the Africa Free Continental Trade Agreement (AfFCTA), Ghana is in a position to harness this opportunity in the areas of job creation and trade facilitation. The creation of direct services and reduction in the transit times will result clear trade efficiency. He added that this will significantly open up the economy to more industries and sustainable investments.” Mr. Mac Manu said.