Congo-Brazzaville’s otherwise sleepy port on Africa’s equatorial west coast was a hive of activity on Wednesday when a 366-metre box ship berthed at Port de Pointe-Noire.
There was good reason why the vessel’s visit was a cause for pomp and ceremony, attracting dignitaries from far and wide for a stroll down the proverbial red carpet, as the 15 000 MSC Virgo officially became the largest carrier to ever call at the port.
Much has been said since then about the reaffirmation of Mediterranean Shipping Lines and its role as a deep-sea carrier for cargo in and out of Central Africa, especially in so far as its strategic location is concerned.
“The new call will enable direct and quick exchanges with Asia and Europe. It also confirms the Port of Pointe-Noire's key position as a trans-shipment platform for goods destined for Angola and Namibia,” India Shipping News said.
Together, two other services already calling at Pointe-Noire, Africa Express and a line from Angola, and inter-modality efficiencies connecting the Port of Matadi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the MSC Virgo’s call reportedly bodes well for increased supply chain into the eastern Congo-Brazzaville-DRC region.
