Abidjan welcomes 400-meter megamax vessel: a new chapter for West Africa’s maritime logistics
The Port of Abidjan has marked a milestone in West African maritime history by receiving the MSC Diletta, a 400-meter-long container vessel operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container line. This unprecedented docking at Terminal 2 (TC2) not only signals a technical feat but also reflects the outcome of Côte d’Ivoire’s sustained investment in port infrastructure modernization.
In brief
The container ship MSC Diletta, 400 metres long, called at the port of Abidjan as the first vessel of this size in the port's history. MSC Diletta is 61 metres wide with a capacity of 24,000 TEU, and berthing at Container Terminal No. 2 was made possible by investments of more than 1,100 billion CFA francs, more than 1.6 billion euros, including the dredging of the Vridi canal. In 2024 the port of Abidjan handled 40.1 million tonnes of cargo, up 15.6 percent year on year, and more than 1.6 million TEU, of which more than 530 thousand in transshipment.
The MSC Diletta is a next-generation megamax vessel, measuring 400 meters in length and 61 meters in beam, with a nominal capacity of 24,000 TEUs. Accommodating such a vessel would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Today, it stands as testament to Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic vision and infrastructural ambition.
- This is a historic day for the Port of Abidjan and for Côte d’Ivoire, said Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ, Managing Director of the Abidjan Port Authority. - The President’s vision made this possible. The port’s transformation into a modern, competitive, and future-facing logistics hub is now a reality.
The arrival of the MSC DILETTA reinforces Abidjan’s role as a regional logistics hub, bridging global shipping lanes with inland African markets. According to Mr. Cédric GOUJON, Managing Director of MSC Côte d’Ivoire, this development strengthens the port’s attractiveness as a transshipment platform in the Gulf of Guinea.
Africa Global Logistics (AGL) also emphasized the broader impact of this success. Mr. Mohamed DIOA, AGL’s Regional Finance Director, called the event “a reflection of collective ambition and long-term transformation of the port ecosystem,” highlighting the operational leadership and public-private cooperation behind the port’s advancement.
This transformation is the product of over 1,100 billion CFA francs (approx. €1.6 billion) in infrastructure investments carried out in recent years, including:
- the extension of bulk cargo quays (2017),
- development of a new Ro-Ro terminal (2018),
- deepening and widening of the Vridi Canal (2019),
- commissioning of the second container terminal (2022),
- launch of a new grain terminal (2023),
- and continued backfilling and industrial zoning projects.
These projects have significantly boosted capacity and performance. In 2024, Abidjan handled 40.1 million metric tons of cargo, a 15.6% increase over 2023. Container throughput surged to 1.6 million TEUs, including over 530,000 transshipped containers.
- This is more than a technical achievement—it is a strategic positioning, stated Mr. CONÉ Dioman, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Transport, emphasizing the role of port infrastructure in national development. - It marks Côte d’Ivoire’s emergence as a major player in regional and international logistics.
With the successful handling of a 400-meter vessel, the Port of Abidjan has not only demonstrated its operational readiness but has also cemented its role in reshaping West Africa’s place in the global maritime economy. As shipping lines push for ever-larger vessels and higher efficiency, Abidjan stands ready—modern, connected, and poised for growth.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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