Ethiopian Maritime Transport and Logistics (EMTL) has unveiled a major expansion plan, announcing the purchase of six new cargo ships to enhance the country’s trade capacity and reduce reliance on foreign vessels.

As part of this initiative, two state-of-the-art Ultramax dry bulk carriers, each with a carrying capacity of 62,000 tons, will soon be operational, significantly increasing Ethiopia’s ability to handle imports and exports. The remaining four ships are set to be acquired in the coming years, further reinforcing Ethiopia’s maritime sector.

With Ethiopia currently operating a fleet of 10 ships, this expansion marks a strategic move toward strengthening the nation’s logistics capabilities. By increasing shipping efficiency and securing greater control over cargo transport, EMTL aims to lower costs, improve trade flows, and support economic growth.

This investment aligns with Ethiopia’s broader vision of developing its maritime infrastructure to compete on a global scale. The addition of these vessels is expected to ease logistics challenges and enhance the country’s connectivity to international markets.