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Grimaldi's 'Great Cotonou' Sets Sail, Pioneering a New Era of Shipping to Africa

Briggs McCriddle

The Grimaldi Group has reached a major milestone with the completion of its G5 class of multipurpose vessels. The final addition to this state-of-the-art fleet, the Great Cotonou, was delivered on December 20 at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. The ship is now poised to reshape maritime connections between China, West Africa, and Brazil, combining innovation and sustainability with new trade possibilities.


The Great Cotonou is a vessel that exemplifies the maritime industry’s drive toward greener operations. Outfitted with cutting-edge technology, it achieves a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions per ton of cargo compared to previous Grimaldi multipurpose vessels.

Its environmental credentials are further bolstered by its ability to use shoreside electricity—cold ironing—while docked, reducing reliance on fossil fuels during port stays.

These innovations place the Great Cotonou at the forefront of sustainable shipping, offering a glimpse into the future of maritime transport.


In January 2025, the Great Cotonou will inaugurate a new Grimaldi shipping route, connecting China to Lagos, Nigeria. The route, operated in tandem with a sister vessel, will offer monthly services to transport rolling cargo and containers, with transshipment through Grimaldi’s PTML terminal in Lagos. This will provide a gateway for goods from China to reach key ports in West Africa and even Brazil, further enhancing global trade routes.


The announcement of the Great Cotonou and its groundbreaking route signals Grimaldi’s ambition to expand its global footprint while prioritizing sustainability.

Gian Luca Grimaldi, President of the Grimaldi Group, described the developments as transformative: "With the Great Cotonou, the sixth and final technological gem of the G5 class, and our new service connecting China, West Africa, and Brazil, we are introducing significant innovations. This new route will increase our network's capacity and sustainability, thanks to our young and cutting-edge fleet."


The vessel’s launch underscores a growing demand for efficient, sustainable transport solutions between major global trade hubs, a shift driven by both economic necessity and environmental imperatives. As it begins its journey, the Great Cotonou represents more than just a logistical advancement; it symbolizes a bold step toward reimagining shipping for a cleaner, more connected world.

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