The roll-on/roll-off vessel Neptune Leader made its first call at the port of Abidjan on Saturday, October 24, 2026, where 139 vehicles were unloaded in less than 24 hours as part of the launch of a new automotive service by NYK Line in West Africa.
This rotation marks the beginning of operational collaboration between the Japanese shipowner and AGL Côte d’Ivoire, which acts as its maritime agent. The operation took place at the roll-on/roll-off terminal operated by TERRA, according to a statement from the companies relayed by the Ivorian Press Agency.
Measuring 183 meters in length, the Neptune Leader is designed for the transport of vehicles and rolling equipment. On this type of vessel, cargo enters and exits directly via ramps, which eliminates the need for individual handling by cranes.
AGL Côte d’Ivoire handled the administrative and port formalities as well as assistance to the vessel and its crew. Its teams also coordinated the identification of vehicles, the monitoring of their movements, and terminal operations with TERRA.
The regional director of AGL Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, Asta-Rosa Cissé, described this first stop as the starting point of a lasting cooperation with NYK Line. Kentaro Shimizu, the shipping company’s representative for sub-Saharan Africa, confirmed the launch of a new service aimed at supporting automotive flows in the region.
The Autonomous Port of Abidjan indicates that its roll-on/roll-off terminal has a vehicle yard of 37,500 square meters and a warehouse dedicated to the storage of new vehicles. The platform also handles the reception, inspection, storage, and delivery of rolling cargo.
The operators did not specify the future frequency of the stops nor the countries of origin and destination of the 139 unloaded vehicles. The data provided concerns this initial operation, without any indication of its potential impact on delivery times or vehicle prices.
NYK Line has announced its intention to strengthen its presence in West Africa and develop its automotive transport solutions in the region.
