Terminal opens doors for Chinese company

For many Chinese companies going to Africa, diving in at the deep end is the hardest thing to do. Unlike many of their Western counterparts in Africa with longer experience in operating outside their home countries, going to Africa is the first foreign foray for many Chinese companies.

But as challenging as that can be, the experience can offer tremendous dividends to those willing to take the plunge. Such is the case with Tin-can Island Container Terminal, whose presence in Africa has handed it the chance to work with partners from other countries, which in turn is helping it grow in Africa.

The company is a subsidiary of China Merchants Holdings (International) Co Ltd based in Hong Kong and listed on the stock exchange there in 1992. It now runs a container terminal in Lagos, the busiest port in West Africa. Its partners are the French industrial and investment holding company Bollore and a Nigerian container terminal company.