Since 1973, Universal Africa Lines B.V. (UAL) has operated as a dedicated global shipping line, specialising in the Oil & Gas, Energy, Mining and Infrastructure sectors. With decades of proven expertise, UAL provides seamless liner services, breakbulk shipping, project cargo logistics and container transport connecting Europe, the US Gulf, the Caribbean, South America and West Africa and vice versa.
UAL’s core mission is to deliver direct, reliable maritime freight solutions for breakbulk cargo, heavy-lift project shipments, containers and specialised logistics along the West African trade corridor. Supported by an extensive network and deep local knowledge, we serve major Oil & Gas operators, tier-1 and tier-2 contractors, freight forwarders and global supply chains with tailor-made shipping services.
UAL also operates comprehensive intra-African services along the West Coast of Africa, providing clients with end-to-end maritime logistics across multiple ports in the region.
Universal Africa Lines B.V. maintains a well-established network of strategic ports that support a comprehensive sailing schedule between Europe, the Americas and Africa. Our services include regular calls at key loading ports such as Antwerp in Belgium, Aberdeen in the UK and additional European gateways, as well as, U.S. Gulf ports including Houston, Veracruz in Mexico, through to Brazil, ensuring strong connectivity with global industries.
In West Africa, UAL serves a wide range of regular ports, including Onne Port/Port Harcourt/Warri in Nigeria, Takoradi in Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo and Angola. Additional ports are served on an inducement basis, allowing flexibility to meet specific project and cargo requirements. This extensive port coverage enables Universal Africa Lines B.V. to provide efficient, dependable shipping solutions tailored to the operational needs of our clients.
Furthermore, UAL offers a service between North and South America which includes a dedicated Caribbean Shuttle service, connecting key ports throughout the Caribbean with reliable, scheduled shipping solutions, ensuring full regional coverage across the Atlantic basin.
UAL continues to strengthen its presence across the Americas and the Caribbean through dependable, strategically timed sailings that support project cargo, energy developments and regional trade. From Port Houston, customers benefit from direct sailings to Guyana every 10–14 days with an average transit time of just 10 days, ensuring reliable delivery for fast-moving supply chains. UAL also offers direct services from Houston to Trinidad and Suriname every 2–3 weeks with transit times between 9–12 days, as well as a monthly Houston–Brazil rotation that connects South America’s industrial hubs with the U.S. Gulf. Additional monthly sailings from Aberdeen and Antwerp to Guyana further extend UAL’s established NE cargo network, offering average transit times of 15–17 days, subject to cargo routing.
Complementing these U.S. outbound services, UAL operates monthly north- and south-bound sailings between Brazil and the U.S., calling at key Caribbean destinations and selected Colombian and Mexican ports along the way. By sharing a versatile fleet with West Africa, the line enables seamless cargo movement between Brazil, the Caribbean and West Africa, an advantage unmatched in today’s multipurpose shipping environment.
All UAL vessels are shallow-draft compliant, allowing safe access to Georgetown and Paramaribo and the fleet includes heavy-lift capable vessels suitable for transformers, machinery and complex project cargoes. Customers also benefit from 30 free days of storage at Port Houston for both import and export cargo, as well as a flexible mix of carrier-owned containers and breakbulk solutions tailored to mining, oil and gas and other specialised industries. With UAL offices in Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname, supported by dedicated Port Captains and a technical department across all trades, UAL delivers hands-on expertise and reliable service throughout the region.
Multipurpose geared ships for heavy and out-of-gauge cargo.
Predictable shuttle frequency with inducement flexibility.
Port handling, storage, inland haulage, and documentation.
For companies in the oil & gas, energy, mining or infrastructure sectors seeking reliable shipping of heavy-lift equipment, containers, industrial modules or breakbulk cargo between Europe, the Americas and West & East Africa, UAL stands out as a fully integrated shipping line with over 50 years of dedicated service in Africa’s demanding maritime environment.
