CSA - West Africa

Senegal and Ivory Coast - the west African extensions of CSA Italy…

West Africa : a nice adventure started 13 years ago?

Since the beginning of our activity in 1990, our target has always been offering to our customers as many direct groupage services from Italy as possible, destined to all main worldwide ports, but 13 years ago, looking at the geographical map showing all ports we were calling, a wide empty space was still appearing on a certain part of the world.

West Africa is of course a difficult region, with few volumes and many risks, but since my first trip there I was amazed by colours, fantasy and appeal of these places and people living there. Risking and making investments in new direct services to Dakar, Abidjan, Tema, Lagos and Douala was an important challenge, but after a first difficult period, we have been really happy with the choice we had done.?

Unfortunately, Agents did not result being always really reliable, and this is a big problem in that area. For this reason, after some years, we have decided that the best choice (at least for the main markets of Dakar and Abidjan) would have been opening our own offices, which could give us the right guarantees. That’s how, cooperating with a local partner well placed in the reality of Dakar port, Central Shipping West Africa-Senegal- was born. Then the year after, this Company has funded Central Shipping West Africa – Ivory Coast - established in Abidjan. The professionalism and reliability granted by being part of our Group, has lead the European partners of iCargo Alliance to start a very good cooperation with our two African offices, with weekly and fortnightly services.?

At present a part of cargo coming from Milano, Valencia and Antwerp is transhipped cargo, originating in India, Far East or China, but we are sure that soon I Cargo partners of these regions will be able to load their direct consol containers to Dakar and Abidjan, which are markets under rapid development. Up to now, shipping activity to these destinations have been mainly done as FCL, but lately Dakar and Abidjan have changed their setting and become great capital cities with an higher standard of living and more qualified needs and now, indeed, is the time with a greater request of LCL shipments.?

Long last!

Central Shipping West Africa – Senegal?

Founded in October 2018, has recently moved to a new spacious office in the heart of Dakar. Headed by Ms. Rokhaya Diallo, the team is handling direct lcl services from Italy, Spain, Belgium, and USA, India, China and Far East via the main hubs in Europe. They also handle FCL and airfreight of course.

The consol containers are unstuffed in a private custom warehouse just outside the port of Dakar, with full security and proper technology to secure a quick and smooth release.

Central shipping West Africa – Ivory Coast

Founded in August 2019, is located in the centre of Abidjan, in the same building of the Custom warehouse where the consol containers are unstuffed. The team is leaded by Ms. Sylvie Goret, assisted by Ms. Noelle Diby and Ms. Audrey Kouakou. Import volumes are higher than in Dakar, both in LCL or FCL business. The trade lanes are exactly the same: LCL import direct services from Milan, Valencia and Antwerp/Rotterdam, with t/s cargo from the main origin points in the world. Also Ivory Coast is still very strongly oriented to the European market.?

Founded in August 2019, is located in the centre of Abidjan, in the same building of the Custom warehouse where the consol containers are unstuffed. The team is leaded by Ms. Sylvie Goret, assisted by Ms. Noelle Diby and Ms. Audrey Kouakou. Import volumes are higher than in Dakar, both in LCL or FCL business. The trade lanes are exactly the same: LCL import direct services from Milan, Valencia and Antwerp/Rotterdam, with t/s cargo from the main origin points in the world. Also Ivory Coast is still very strongly oriented to the European market.?