Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has become the first global shipping line to introduce 24,000 TEU megaships on routes serving West Africa, an operational shift that signals deeper integration of the region into global trade networks.

According to Container News, MSC has added two of its largest vessels, the MSC Diletta and MSC Türkiye, to its Africa Express service, linking key export centers in China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia with major ports in West Africa, including Lomé in Togo, Tema in Ghana, Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, and Douala in Cameroon.

The MSC Diletta stretches 400 meters in length and 61 meters in width, carrying up to 23,964 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The MSC Türkiye is slightly larger, at nearly 400 meters long and 61.3 meters wide, with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs, making it one of the largest container ships ever constructed.

On April 23, the MSC Diletta made its maiden call at the Port of Lomé, becoming one of the largest vessels to ever dock in West Africa.

The ship has since continued on to Abidjan, demonstrating that the region’s port infrastructure is increasingly capable of handling next-generation cargo ships.

MSC said the move is more than a logistics upgrade, calling it a “strategic investment in Africa’s trade future.”

In a statement, the company added, “This deployment reflects our long-term commitment to the continent,” emphasizing its aim to expand trade capacity, improve regional connectivity, and support economic and community development.

Industry analysts expect the deployment of these large-scale vessels to have a range of long-term effects on West African economies, including increased trade volumes, job opportunities, and the need for port modernization.

As 24,000 TEU ships become a regular part of operations along the West African coastline, the shift highlights the region’s growing relevance in the global shipping sector and sets the stage for broader trade expansion.