
Shipping companies in Nigeria are vital players in the country’s import, export, and inland logistics network. They facilitate the movement of goods by sea, air, and land, supporting industries from oil and gas to agriculture, e-commerce, and manufacturing. The following are the list of International Shipping Company in Nigeria.
List Of International Shipping Companies
- Maersk Nigeria (A.P. Møller–Maersk Group)
- Mediterranean Shipping Company
- Grimaldi Nigeria (Grimaldi Lines)
- CMA CGM Nigeria
Maersk Nigeria Limited is the Nigerian arm of the A.P. Møller–Maersk Group, a global leader in integrated logistics and container shipping headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Maersk operates in over 130 countries and is one of the largest container shipping companies in the world.
Presence in Nigeria Maersk Nigeria has been operational since 1987, serving as a vital link in both import and export supply chains. The company operates out of Lagos (Apapa Port), Port Harcourt, and Onne Port, among others.
Services Offered in Nigeria
Service |
Description |
Container Shipping |
Reliable FCL (full container load) and LCL (less-than-container load) services from global origins to Nigeria. |
Customs Clearance |
End-to-end import/export documentation and clearing support. |
Inland Haulage (Trucking) |
Road transportation of containers and cargo across Nigerian cities. |
Warehousing & Distribution |
Secure storage and distribution hubs across key ports. |
Digital Logistics Platforms |
Tools like Maersk Spot and Maersk Flow to track and manage shipments online. |
Cold Chain Solutions |
Refrigerated shipping for temperature-sensitive goods (e.g., food, pharma). |
Project Cargo Logistics |
Specialized handling for oversized or heavy industrial shipments. |
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is one of the largest global container shipping lines, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It operates in over 150 countries and handles a significant portion of the world’s cargo transport by sea. MSC Nigeria Limited is the Nigerian subsidiary of MSC, responsible for managing its container shipping and logistics operations across major seaports in the country, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Head office address as follows
MSC Nigeria Ltd.
4A Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria
Mediterranean Shipping Company offers the following Key Services Offered:
- Container Shipping
Handles full container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL) between Nigeria and key global markets (Europe, Asia, the Americas).
- Reefer (Refrigerated) Cargo
Specialized shipping for perishable goods like frozen food, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.
- Project Cargo & Bulk Shipping
Offers solutions for oversized and heavy cargo, such as industrial equipment and vehicles.
- Port Operations & Inland Transport
Coordinates port handling, customs clearance, and inland trucking of cargo within Nigeria.
- Digital Shipment Tracking
Provides customers with real-time cargo tracking and electronic documentation via the MSC eBusiness platform.
Grimaldi Nigeria is the Nigerian subsidiary of the Grimaldi Group, a well-established international shipping and logistics company founded in 1947 and
headquartered in Italy. Grimaldi specializes in roll?on/roll?off (Ro?Ro), con-ro multipurpose, and container shipping, serving over 150 countries worldwide
Grimaldi Nigeria offers the following Key Services
- Direct Shipping Routes
In early 2025, Grimaldi Group launched its first-ever direct monthly shipping service between Shanghai, China and Lagos, Nigeria, reducing transit time to just 27 days, with no transshipment required. This route supports cargo types like containers, vehicles, heavy equipment, and project freight
- Roll-on / Roll-off (Ro?Ro) Operations
Offers specialized Ro?Ro services for vehicles, heavy machinery, and industrial equipment—efficiently loading and unloading cargo via dedicated terminals like Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
- Container & Multipurpose Shipping
Through its modern G5-class vessels, such as the Great Cotonou and Great Lagos, Grimaldi can transport up to 2,000 TEU (twenty-foot containers) and 5,000 car equivalent units (CEU)—doubling capacity over previous fleets with improved environmental efficiency.
- Terminal Handling & Supply Chain Support
The group manages priority operations at PTML Terminal, Tin Can Island Port, offering streamlined cargo handling, freight consolidation, and customs clearance services.
- Integrated Digital Tracking
Clients can track shipments in real time, manage documentation, and view shipment status using Grimaldi’s digital platforms and e-business tools.
CMA CGM Nigeria is the Nigerian division of the CMA CGM Group, a leading global shipping and logistics company headquartered in Marseille, France. The group operates in over 160 countries, with a fleet of more than 600 vessels, making it one of the top five container shipping companies in the world.
In Nigeria, CMA CGM supports international trade and logistics by providing comprehensive ocean freight and inland transport services to and from major Nigerian ports. The CMA CGM Group is one of the international shipping companies known for investing in eco-efficient ships, including LNG-powered vessels, and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through innovation and alternative fuels.
Nigeria Office Contact (Example)
CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Ltd
7th Floor, St. Nicholas House,
Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Website: www.cma-cgm.com
CMA CGM Nigeria offers the following Key Services
- Container Shipping
Offers regular liner services for Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) between Nigeria and major global markets including Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East
- Reefer (Refrigerated) Cargo
Supports cold chain logistics for perishable goods such as seafood, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.
- Project Cargo
Handles large, heavy, or specialized cargo including oil & gas equipment and industrial machinery.
- Digital Tools
Provides shippers with digital platforms like My CMA CGM for online booking, cargo tracking, documentation, and rate management.
- Intermodal & Inland Services
Coordinates local transport and logistics from port to destination via trucking and third-party partners.
International shipping companies operating in Nigeria—such as Maersk, MSC, Grimaldi, and CMA CGM—play a vital role in connecting the country to global trade routes. These companies offer container shipping, refrigerated cargo, Ro-Ro services, and project logistics, enabling the smooth movement of goods across continents.
With operations at major ports like Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne, they provide reliable and efficient services for importers, exporters, manufacturers, and SMEs. Their investment in digital tracking, eco-friendly vessels, and customs support further enhances transparency, speed, and compliance.
In summary, these international firms are critical enablers of Nigeria’s global trade, supply chain efficiency, and economic growth.