Wholly owned global subsidiary and leader in Less-than-Container Load (LCL) consolidation, ECU Worldwide Allcargo Logistics, has announced a partnership with SIFAX Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of the SIFAX Group, to introduce LCL consolidation services to exporters, especially the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
The LCL, which offers global market access to small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria, would further boost Federal Government’s drive towards economic diversification, as it would enhance non-oil exports, especially agro and allied products.
The maiden shipment under the partnership is expected to sail on August 6, 2024 from Apapa Port in Lagos, Nigeria for the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, which is the shipping hub for ECU Worldwide.
ECU Worldwide is currently the only company in Nigeria to offer outbound LCL consolidation services as the launch of the LCL consolidation service will also help ECU Worldwide serve unmet demands for cost-effective transportation and exports of low-value products and commodities in the region such as agricultural commodities, solid minerals, oil producing machinery for repairs, among others across the world.
It is believed that since Nigeria is rich in agricultural crops such as cashew nuts and groundnuts, among others, small and medium scale businesses dealing in such agricultural commodities will now have access to a large scale and cost-effective global market.
As a part of the collaboration, FMA-Line Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of ECU Worldwide, has started accepting consignments from exporters at the Ijora Bonded Terminal of SIFAX Group. The first sailing is scheduled on August 6, 2024 from Apapa Port to ECU Worldwide Antwerp hub through Hapag-Lloyd Shipping Line.
ECU Worldwide currently offers track and trace facility for exporters in Nigeria on ECU360, 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.
Speaking on this partnership with the SIFAX Shipping, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Middle East & Africa Region of 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.”
Meanwhile, Managing Director, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, Paul Liden, who spoke on the new innovation in SIFAX Group, 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.
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“The Antwerp hub of ECU Worldwide acts 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.
To deepen its services, ECU Worldwide has opened its office at Port Harcourt, Rivers State 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, especially in Abuja and Kano to boost projects, businesses, diplomatic and UN cargo and trading business.
Founded in 1987, ECU Worldwide is Allcargo Logistics’ is celebrating 30 years of excellence as one of the major players in multi-modal transport and global leader in LCL consolidation. ECU Worldwide is powered by the vision of digital first approach and backed by passionate leadership with expertise in logistics, data science and technology.
ECU Worldwide digital platform, ECU360 delivers a customer-centric digital logistics experience that enables end-to-end shipping services at the click of a button. With technologically advanced interface and customer-centric features, ECU360 has enabled ECU Worldwide to achieve digital leadership in global LCL consolidation. The company boasts of more than 300+ offices, across 180 countries, with over 2400 direct trade lanes, covering their international standard expertise across continents.
It practices Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2021 Standards and has set out to achieve carbon neutrality and adopt 100 percent renewable energy in all its facilities by 2040.
On its part, SIFAX Group is a conglomerate with investments in various sectors such as Maritime, Aviation, Logistics, Oil & Gas, Financial Services and Hospitality, while its expertise in international full-service logistics has attracted patronage and partnerships from across the world.
With headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, and a presence in many countries including Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the United States, the company provides bespoke solutions to address its clients’ challenges.
For ease of operations, the company opened ports and terminals in Apapa, Tin-Can Island, Ijora and Warri in Delta State, while SIFAX Group also owns Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, an aviation and air-freight service provider in Nigeria.
