Hapag-Lloyd Targets 1.7 Million TEU in Africa by 2030

Hapag-Lloyd is targeting annual container volumes of 1.7 million TEU across Africa by 2030, Breakbulk News reported on 5 November 2026. The carrier's African volumes passed 1 million TEU for the first time in 2026.

Network and acquisitions

Hapag-Lloyd serves 27 African countries. Its growth on the continent has been built partly through acquisitions. The 2021 purchase of NileDutch strengthened its West African trades, and the 2022 acquisition of the container liner business of Deutsche Afrika-Linien (DAL) improved links between South Africa, Europe and the Indian Ocean. The company set up a dedicated Sub-Region Africa in 2024.

Terminal capacity through DP World

Hapag-Lloyd has expanded its cooperation with DP World to secure long-term terminal capacity in Dakar (Senegal), Luanda (Angola) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The partnership also supports infrastructure in Banana (DR Congo) and Maputo (Mozambique).

20 years in South Africa

The announcement also marks 20 years of Hapag-Lloyd in South Africa, where it opened its first dedicated office in 2006 and now employs 52 people. Rogelio Busto, Managing Director South & East Africa, said the company has built strong relationships with customers and partners there. Jesper Kanstrup, Managing Director Sub-Region Africa, called Africa one of the carrier's key growth markets.

Why it matters for Gulf shippers

Carrier investment in African terminal capacity matters for traders in the UAE who ship to East and West Africa, as it affects schedule options and port reliability on these routes.

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Source: Breakbulk News, Robertha McDonald, "Hapag-Lloyd Targets 1.7 Million TEU in Africa by 2030 as Network Expands", 5 November 2026. https://breakbulk.news/hapag-lloyd-targets-1-7-million-teu-in-africa-by-2030-as-network-expands/