At almost 40 years old, Lars Jensen believes that his Volkswagen camper van, which he affectionately calls “Sally,” is perfect for his upcoming adventure. Over the next 18 months, he plans to drive around Africa, explo...
At almost 40 years old, Lars Jensen believes that his Volkswagen camper van, which he affectionately calls “Sally,” is perfect for his upcoming adventure. Over the next 18 months, he plans to drive around Africa, exploring new opportunities in the global supply chain.
Jensen is a well-known figure in the container shipping industry, often recognized for his insights and analysis. He has worked with A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and is frequently seen at maritime conferences as a consultant. His opinions are sought after by many, as evidenced by his large following of over 171,000 on LinkedIn.
“Lars, without meaning to offend you, you are likely the biggest geek in our industry and one of my favorite speakers,” said Trine Nielsen, an ocean freight executive at Flexport, during a webinar last year. “You are definitely an important voice in our industry.”
Now, at age 56, Jensen is preparing to hit the road. He plans to depart from Copenhagen on July 1, journeying south through Spain and taking a ferry to Morocco.
In collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd AG, DSV A/S, and Nexxiot AG, Jensen aims to travel through 41 countries, covering more than 40,000 miles (65,000 kilometers)—almost twice the Earth's circumference at the equator.
His route will take him along the western coast down to South Africa, then northward. Due to security concerns, he will sometimes leave his van and fly to certain areas. He expects to complete his journey in Kenya around the end of 2027.
The aim of this trip is to uncover opportunities and risks that are not easily visible from afar, thereby helping to connect Africa's economies to the global trading system.
“This is going to be the fastest-growing market for freight in the next 25 years,” Jensen stated. “So, if you want to be a major player in Africa's market in a couple of decades, now is the time to get on board.”
He predicts that by 2050, Africa’s container imports will match the current volumes seen in Europe.
Jensen's journey reflects broader ambitions and professional curiosity shared by many analysts in the field.
$447 Billion
For the past 50 years, global shipping lanes and logistics have predominantly been structured to move east and west. However, the emergence of the Global South and changing demographics are shifting focus toward Africa's growing economies, where e-commerce continues to expand.
According to Landry Signé, an expert at the Brookings Institution, the logistics market in Africa is expected to reach $447 billion by the end of the decade, rising from $344 billion in 2020. African maritime trade is projected to more than double to 132 million tons by 2030, largely driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
This growth will necessitate an additional 2 million trucks and 100 cargo vessels, Signé noted.
Part of Jensen's mission is to assess the development needs across his route and communicate those insights back to his sponsors. His van will be equipped with a Nexxiot tracking device, similar to those used by Hapag-Lloyd for its containers. He plans to meet with clients along the way and share updates on LinkedIn and Instagram using the hashtag #SyncroSallyVoyage.
Jensen feels prepared to face any logistical challenges that may arise during his trip.
His 1987 Volkswagen T3 Syncro is lacking features like air-conditioning or electric windows, but it does have four-wheel drive and only 86,000 miles on the engine. The simplicity of the vehicle is a plus for him, as it makes repairs easier.
He acknowledges that if he encounters trouble, he will rely on the assistance of locals. “I’m a market analyst—not a mechanic,” he said.