Headlines
New wave of car imports set to hit terminals as new vehicle- carriers come on line
An expected jump in the number of car-carrying ships is set to flood ports with vehicles, making congestion at terminals even worse, the head of the industry’s biggest shipping line has said.
Lasse Kristoffersen, chief executive of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, made the comments in an interview after the Financial Times reported that many European car import terminals had turned into congested “car parks” following a big surge in vehicle exports from China.
The situation would have been even more difficult if there had been enough capacity to ship all the vehicles that manufacturers wanted to, he said. “We’re not able to lift all the volumes that our customers want.”
Car shipping capacity has been flat for the past 10 years but the number of vehicles moved last year increased by 17 per cent on the previous year, filling nearly all the available ships.
In response, operators have placed orders for 198 new ships that are due to arrive by the end of 2027, according to maritime consultancy MSI. These deliveries will increase capacity by 42 per cent.
Kristoffersen said it was unlikely terminal operators would increase port capacity at the same rate and that as a result, congestion at ports would worsen. “We think the next big bottleneck will be terminals and distribution.”
His comments come in the week that MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping line, announced its first sizeable investment in the car carrier sector, with a NKr7.64bn ($693mn) cash offer for Gram Car Carriers, an Oslo-listed owner of 18 car carriers leased to other operators.
‘The Red Sea situation materialised — 5% of our capacity disappeared overnight” said Lasse Kristoffersen: ’
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, meanwhile, is trying to avoid the congestion by investing in its own dedicated terminals.
Car-carrier companies operate a total of 776 ships for cars, trucks and other roll-on, roll-off cargo such as agricultural machinery. Wallenius Wilhelmsen operates 128 of the distinctive, boxlike ships.
The problems in ports had been exacerbated, Kristoffersen said, by changes in carmakers’ distribution systems. Many new manufacturers do not have traditional dealer networks, he pointed out. Some — including Polestar, an electric vehicle brand owned by Volvo Cars — had Wallenius Wilhelmsen handle their distribution, he said.
“When we get a Polestar at our terminal in Belgium, we’re the ones checking that car, making it ready to be delivered to a customer,” Kristoffersen said.
The trend had contributed to the build-up of vehicles in ports, he added, with some being prepared there for delivery to customers.
Kristoffersen also pointed out that the industry was feeling the effects of the volatile geopolitical environment.
From the end of last year, many car-carrier operators were forced to divert sailing between Asia and Europe to a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, to avoid terror attacks in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. Because this has lengthened many journeys, the diversions have cut the number of vehicles shipped this year.
“The Red Sea situation materialised — 5 per cent of our capacity disappeared overnight,” Kristoffersen said.
He also expressed concern about the risks of sailing through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized the MSC Aries, a large container ship, on April 13. Vessels have to pass through the strait to reach Gulf ports such as Dubai.
These ports have grown busier in recent months as Saudi Arabia’s main port at Jeddah, on the Red Sea, has become harder to serve.
“Whatever happens off Yemen and in the Strait of Hormuz is a big challenge for our ability to deliver,” Kristoffersen said.
Analyses
The invisible toll gates:Why National Single Window is Nigeria’s ultimate economic battleground
Headlines
NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership
Gloria Odion, Reporter
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.
The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.
He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.
“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”
He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.
“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.
“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”
As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.
The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.
Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.
A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.
The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.
Customs
Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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