W Africa to Europe by sea?
 

Hi all,

M'lady and I are currently in St Louis, Senegal, heading south; Mali, Côte d'Ivoire.

We're considering return journey options.

Is it possible to take a boat (freight, passenger) from the west coast, Abidjan, Lagos, Dakar, wherever, bike and two riders, north to, say, Casablanca, Spain, France, Italy?

I've contacted shippers listed on this site, but wondered if anyone had personal experience and advice.

Cheers!

Simon
bigtrip19.blogspot.com
visalog.blogspot.com

Change in plans, or just assessing options?


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The latter. Although we're definitely not going all the way to Cape Town now.

If getting out of our comfort zone is what this is about, it's been successful. The whole trip was too.much, it is now clear, to do without making is a trial. That's no problem, improvisation was always an option.

Any ideas about sailing from Abidjan, Lagos, wherever?

What you up to now?

Good to hear from you.

S.

Now back in UK since Wednesday.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3fa25d3f50.jpg

From Sudan took ferry to Saudi then through Israel and ship to Greece. Bike now ar Motocamp Bulgaria.

Afraid don’t know shipping options from West Africa but worth looking at Grimaldi lines website for their routes.

Good luck!


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**** me! You've more stamina than I have. Good on you.

Thanks for suggestion, we're waiting for a reply from Grimaldi right now.

S.

Bear in mind I have done this solo, not two up, and have broken it into 4 stages.

Have you considered parking your bike securely (as I did) and returning later? Of course, may not suit your particular circumstances I appreciate.

Best wishes for your choices.

Simon


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The two-up issue is significant, for sure.

As well as the obvious handling a heavier bike (extra luggage/rider), I'm very aware of how riding with a passenger inhibits my ability to unilaterally decide to go balls out on a given day when I want to get through a particular stretch. And that has an effect on morale because being able to schlep it is one definite way of dealing with big distance.

On the other hand, and this is a personal thing, I'm not designed for being solitary, so improbably wouldn't fancy a year alone (although I know that's proably not exactly how it would pan out).

Life, eh?

Parking up and returning to the bike is an interesting idea, but, I'm afraid, given the role played by flying in global warming, I'm reluctant to fly again for simply indulgent reasons. (No dig intended, it's my own response to our plight and I'm not trying to foist it in anyone else.)

I admire what you've done - but you don't need praise, the trip is it's own reward. Well done.

S.

You sure took the long route to avoid Rosso :)

The answer to my own question...
 

In case anyone else sees this and would like to know, these chaps; https://www.cargoshipvoyages.com/ can sort you out if anyone can.

Lagos, Cotonou, Tema back to north Europe. But they don't have a passenger plus vehicle arrangement. The bike would have to be booked as a separate deal.

Looking into that now.

When I was in the region many years ago I went back to the Gambia to arrange shipping- mainly because it was easier to do the negotiations there in English rather than in French in Dakar. I then came back on a holiday charter flight. The bike arrived back in Southampton a couple of months later (I wasn't in a rush) - the delay being because the shipping co needed to fill a container before it went.

Interesting link but I think adding a containered bike in the hold would add a whole level of complication, depending on what type of cargo ship it is.
It's not like winching a bike onto the deck of the Stahlratte out of Panama, sadly.
Check out Grimaldi. They do have a RoRo and pax service from NL to South America. It's no cheaper and much longer than flying the bike and yourself.
May be a similar service for West Af. I know the South America ship stops in a couple of West African ports, don't know if in both directions.