Sieton Group, in partnership with two major ro-ro carriers, has launched a monthly dedicated vehicle carrier service connecting the Port of Shanghai with Lagos (Nigeria) and Tema (Ghana).

The new route cuts average transit time from 38 days to approximately 29 days, a reduction of up to 9 days. Sailing schedules are fixed monthly, giving dealers predictable arrival windows for inventory planning.

The service supports both ro-ro and container loading, with capacity for over 1,500 vehicles per sailing. Standard export documentation, including customs clearance and bill of lading, is handled end-to-end by Sieton’s logistics team.

West Africa has been one of the fastest-growing markets for Chinese used vehicle exports. Demand is particularly strong for compact SUVs, pickup trucks, and commercial vehicles with proven durability.

Bookings for the maiden voyage in October are now open. Dealers interested in reserving space can contact their Sieton account manager or submit an inquiry through the official website.

Twelve new or converted pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) have entered service on Asia export trades since the start of 2026, materially easing the capacity crunch that pushed vehicle shipping rates to record highs in prior years.

Freight forwarders report that spot rates on the Shanghai–Middle East and Shanghai–South America corridors have softened, and fixed-schedule sailings are easier to book with shorter waiting windows.

The added capacity is a welcome relief for used-vehicle exporters, who previously competed with brand-new OEM cargo for limited ro-ro space during peak months.

Sieton Group’s logistics team has secured long-term allocations on three of the newly commissioned vessels, protecting sailing stability for dealer orders through the second half of the year.

Dealers are still advised to book peak-season (September–November) shipments four to six weeks in advance, as new-car launch cargo can again tighten availability.

A new rail-sea intermodal service now connects vehicle consolidation hubs in southwest China, including Chongqing and Chengdu, with Central Asian markets via the Alashankou border crossing and Caspian ferry connections.

The corridor is designed for vehicles built by southwestern manufacturers, such as Changan and Deepal, eliminating up to 1,800 kilometers of inland trucking previously required to reach coastal ro-ro terminals.

Transit time to Tashkent and Almaty is approximately 16 to 21 days, with containerized transport protecting vehicles from road debris and weather exposure.

Sieton Group is an early adopter of the service, having completed three pilot shipments with zero damage claims, and now offers the corridor as a standard option to Central Asian dealer partners.

The service also supports 40-foot containers with reinforced vehicle racking, allowing two sedans or one SUV plus spare-parts cargo per container.