Shipping & Logistics Services | IOR EOR Required in The Africa

ALM Shipping & Logistics provides end to end freight forwarding, IOR EOR Required in The Africa, ocean freight, air cargo, customs clearance, and supply chain management services across Africa, including Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Libya, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

With specialized expertise in the African logistics corridor, ALM Shipping ensures your cargo moves efficiently through the continent’s key ports and trade routes.

Africa’s Rising Logistics Opportunity

Africa is no longer a niche market for global shippers, it is one of the fastest-growing trade regions in the world. With the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a single market spanning 54 countries, 1.3 billion consumers, and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion has emerged. For businesses looking to import into or export from African markets, choosing the right logistics partner is critical.

ALM Shipping & Logistics provides comprehensive shipping and freight forwarding services across the African continent from the Mediterranean coast of North Africa to the southern tip of Cape Town. Whether you are shipping commercial cargo, industrial equipment, or consumer goods, ALM delivers reliable, transparent, and cost-effective logistics solutions tailored for African markets.

Why Africa? The Business Case for Shipping to the African Continent

Africa’s logistics sector is experiencing a historic transformation driven by infrastructure investment, digital adoption, and regional trade integration. Here is why global businesses are increasingly targeting African markets:

AfCFTA Integration: A unified continental free trade zone enabling smoother cross-border movement of goods across 54 African nations.

Port Modernization: Major ports like Tangier Med (Morocco), Port Alexandria (Egypt), Durban (South Africa), and Lekki Deep Sea Port (Nigeria) have undergone significant capacity upgrades.

Digital Customs: Countries like Kenya and Nigeria have adopted digital clearance systems, reducing cargo dwell time and processing delays.

E-Commerce Boom: Rapid growth in online retail across South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana is driving demand for efficient last-mile logistics.

Energy & Resources: Ongoing oil, gas, and mining projects in Libya, Nigeria, and the DRC require heavy lift and project cargo expertise.

Country-by-Country Shipping Guide: Key African Markets

1. Morocco: Africa’s Gateway to Europe

Morocco has emerged as Africa’s premier logistics hub, thanks largely to Tangier Med Port

now the largest port on the continent by cargo capacity. Its strategic location at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea makes it a critical transshipment point for cargo moving between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Key Ports: Tangier Med Port, Casablanca Port

Air Freight Hub: Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca

ALM Services: Ocean Freight (FCL/LCL), Air Cargo, Customs Clearance, Warehousing

Morocco’s pro-business regulatory environment and industrial free zones make it ideal for manufacturers seeking African distribution. ALM Shipping offers direct freight solutions from Asia, the Americas, and Europe into Morocco’s major ports.

2. Egypt: The Suez Canal Corridor

Egypt occupies a uniquely powerful position in global trade as the guardian of the Suez Canal one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Over 12% of global trade passes through this canal annually. Port Alexandria, situated on the Mediterranean coast, is Egypt’s primary gateway for international cargo.

Key Ports: Port Alexandria, Port Said, Damietta Port

Air Freight Hub: Cairo International Airport

ALM Services: Ocean Freight, Air Cargo, Suez Canal Transit Logistics, Customs Brokerage, Project Cargo

Egypt’s customs landscape requires specialist knowledge. ALM Shipping’s in-country expertise ensures smooth customs clearance, HS code classification, and compliance with Egyptian import regulations saving importers time and unexpected costs.

3. South Africa: The Continent’s Logistics Backbone

South Africa continues to lead Africa in logistics infrastructure maturity. The Port of Durban is Sub-Saharan Africa’s busiest container port, while Cape Town handles significant volumes of agricultural, automotive, and consumer goods exports.

Key Ports: Port of Durban, Port of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth

Air Freight Hub: OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg

ALM Services: FCL / LCL Ocean Freight, Cold Chain Logistics, Automotive Cargo, Project Freight, Warehousing & Distribution

South Africa also serves as a critical inland distribution hub for landlocked Southern African nations including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and Mozambique. ALM Shipping offers road freight extensions from South African ports into these inland markets.

4. Libya: North Africa’s Emerging Trade Corridor

Libya holds vast hydrocarbon resources and significant reconstruction-driven import demand. Tripoli Port on the western coast is Libya’s most important commercial gateway, handling the bulk of the country’s import cargo including construction materials, machinery, and consumer goods.

Key Port: Port of Tripoli, Port of Misrata, Port of Benghazi

ALM Services: Ocean Freight, Project Cargo, Heavy Equipment Shipping, Customs Clearance, Security Compliant Logistics

ALM Shipping applies specialized risk management protocols for Libyan shipments, ensuring documentation compliance, cargo insurance, and secure delivery in a complex regulatory environment.

5. Nigeria: West Africa’s Largest Market

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and its largest economy. The newly operational Lekki Deep Sea Port is a game-changer, designed to decongest the historic Lagos port and dramatically reduce cargo turnaround times. Nigeria represents the largest import market on the continent for vehicles, machinery, and consumer electronics.

Key Ports: Lekki Deep Sea Port, Apapa Port (Lagos), Tin Can Island Port

ALM Services: FCL / LCL Container Shipping, Air Freight, Automotive Import Logistics, Customs Brokerage

6. Kenya: East Africa’s Logistics Hub

The Port of Mombasa serves as the primary gateway not only for Kenya but for the entire East African hinterland Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Eastern DRC. Kenya’s TradeNet digital customs system has significantly streamlined clearance processes.

Key Port: Port of Mombasa

ALM Services: Ocean Freight, Air Cargo via JKIA Nairobi, Inland Trucking, East African Corridor Logistics

7. Ethiopia: Landlocked Giant

Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, relies on the Port of Djibouti as its primary maritime gateway and Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa for air cargo. ALM Shipping offers seamless inland logistics connecting Djibouti port to Ethiopian distribution centers.

8. Ghana: West Africa’s Stable Trade Partner

Ghana’s political stability and growing middle class make it an increasingly attractive import destination. The Port of Tema near Accra is the primary entry point for containerized cargo.

Key Port: Port of Tema, Takoradi Port

Services: Ocean Freight, Air Cargo, Customs Clearance, Last-Mile Delivery

ALM Shipping: Africa Service Overview at a Glance

Country	Key Port / Hub	Main Service
Morocco	Tangier Med Port	Ocean & Air Freight
Egypt	Port Alexandria	Ocean, Air, Customs
South Africa	Port of Durban	FCL / LCL / Project
Libya	Port of Tripoli	Ocean Freight
Nigeria	Lekki Deep Sea Port	FCL / Air Cargo
Kenya	Port of Mombasa	East Africa Hub
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa (Dry Port)	Inland / Air Freight
Ghana	Port of Tema	Ocean & Road

ALM Shipping Services for Africa: End-to-End Logistics Solutions

Ocean Freight (FCL & LCL)

ALM Shipping offers Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) ocean freight services to all major African ports. Whether you are moving a single pallet or a full vessel, our container solutions are priced competitively and backed by reliable carrier partnerships.

Air Freight

For time-sensitive cargo, ALM’s air freight service connects you to major African airports including Casablanca, Cairo, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Lagos ensuring fast, secure delivery of high-value and perishable goods.

Customs Clearance & Documentation

Navigating African customs can be complex. ALM’s experienced customs brokers handle HS code classification, import duty calculation, certificate of origin, commercial invoices, and EORI validation, ensuring your cargo clears without delays or penalties.

Project Cargo & Heavy Lift

For oversized or overweight shipments, oil and gas equipment, construction machinery, wind turbines. ALM Shipping offers specialized project cargo management including route surveys, special permits, and heavy lift solutions.

Warehousing & Distribution

ALM provides bonded and non-bonded warehousing solutions at key African logistics hubs, with inventory management, cross-docking, and last-mile distribution services to complete the supply chain.

Cold Chain Logistics

For temperature-sensitive cargo including pharmaceuticals, food products, and perishables, ALM offers cold chain logistics with refrigerated containers (reefers) and temperature-monitored warehousing across South Africa and North Africa.

AfCFTA and the Future of African Trade

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the largest free trade zone in the world by number of participating countries. Launched in 2021, it aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods traded between member states, create a single market of 1.3 billion people, and boost intra-African trade by over 50%.

For importers and exporters, AfCFTA means reduced duty barriers, simplified customs procedures at borders between member states, and new opportunities to use African countries as regional distribution hubs. ALM Shipping is positioned to help businesses take full advantage of AfCFTA trade corridors, optimizing routes, reducing costs, and accelerating cargo movement across borders.

Why Choose ALM Shipping & Logistics for Africa?

Deep Africa Expertise: Specialist knowledge of African port operations, customs regulations, and inland logistics.

Competitive Rates: Direct carrier relationships enable cost-effective FCL, LCL, and air freight pricing.

End-to-End Solutions: From origin pickup to final-mile delivery. ALM manages the entire supply chain.

Customs Compliance: In-house customs brokers ensure full regulatory compliance in all African markets.

Real-Time Tracking: Digital cargo visibility tools keep you informed at every step of the journey.

Dedicated Account Management: A single point of contact for all your African logistics needs.

AfCFTA Ready: Positioned to help clients optimize cross-border trade within the AfCFTA framework.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shipping to Africa

Q1: What documents are required for shipping to Africa?

Standard documentation includes: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Airway Bill for air freight), Certificate of Origin, Import License (where required), and Customs Declaration. Some countries like Egypt and Morocco have additional requirements. ALM’s customs team manages all documentation on your behalf.

Q2: Can ALM Shipping handle customs clearance in African countries?

Yes. ALM Shipping provides full customs brokerage services including HS code classification, duty assessment, import documentation preparation, and liaison with customs authorities in Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Libya, and other African markets.

Q3: What is the best port to use for shipping to West Africa?

For West Africa, Lagos (Apapa / Lekki) in Nigeria and Tema in Ghana are the primary container ports. Lekki Deep Sea Port is now operational and offers significantly faster cargo clearance. ALM Shipping can advise on the optimal port based on your final delivery destination.

Q4: Does ALM Shipping offer air freight to Africa?

Yes. ALM Shipping provides air freight services to all major African airports including Cairo International, Mohammed V (Casablanca), OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Jomo Kenyatta (Nairobi), and Murtala Muhammed (Lagos). Air freight is recommended for time-sensitive, high-value, or perishable shipments.

Q5: How does AfCFTA affect my imports and exports in Africa?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is gradually eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods traded between member states. This creates significant cost savings for intra-African trade and opens new cross-border distribution opportunities. ALM Shipping can help you structure logistics strategies that leverage AfCFTA trade corridors.

Get a Freight Quote for Africa Today

Ready to move cargo to or from Africa?

Contact ALM Shipping & Logistics for a competitive freight quote, expert consultation, and end to end logistics support across the African continent.