The growth of maritime traffic in Africa is driving the reconfiguration of global routes and creating new logistics opportunities for international markets.

In recent years, Africa has gone from being an emerging market to becoming a key player in global maritime trade. According to recently published data from myKN, containerized imports on the continent have doubled in just over a decade, rising from around 4 million TEU in 2010 to more than 8 million today.

This sustained growth has attracted the attention of major international shipping lines, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and Hapag-Lloyd, which have decided to expand their services and routes to various African ports. Their goal is to strengthen connectivity and respond to the increasing commercial demand in countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco, now considered strategic connection points between Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The expansion of African maritime trade is generating a reconfiguration of routes and transshipment ports worldwide. New logistics corridors are modifying transit times and rates, directly impacting the planning of international supply chains. This transformation also opens new opportunities for logistics operators, who can now explore more competitive alternatives in less traditional destinations.

For Peruvian importers and exporters, Africa’s rise represents a window of possibilities. The continent is emerging as a promising destination for agricultural, fishing, and manufactured products, as well as a growing source of raw materials and intermediate goods. In a context where market diversification has become essential to maintain competitiveness, looking toward Africa can mean optimizing costs, reducing time, and strengthening logistical resilience.

Africa’s consolidation as a new maritime hub reflects global economic dynamism and the increasingly relevant role that southern routes play in international trade. Adapting to this new scenario will be key for companies seeking to strategically position themselves within the global value chain.