The Nigerian Ports Authority on Sunday announced successful berthing of the biggest container vessel to ever call at any Nigerian port.
NPA’s spokesperson, Jatto Adams, in a statement, said the vessel, Maerskline Stardelhorn vessel, has a capacity of 9,971(TEUs),with Length overall of 300 metres, width of 48 metres was received at the Federal Ocean Terminal.
The ship which is a flagship from Singapore was received at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne in Rivers State at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday.
The berthing of the ship at the Onne Port has spawn positive reactions from Nigerians, who see as a way of decongesting Lagos Ports and easen up the perennial grid lock at Apapa area of Lagos State.
Besides, it is believed to be a major boost to the economic activities in the state’s east of the Niger.
The vessel was brought in from Fairway Bouy Bonny with the aid of three Tugboats operated by three of the agency’s captains.
It was received by the Ports Manager of the Onne Ports, Alhassan Abubakar.
Adams said in the statement, “The Authority is delighted to state that the landmark arrival of the biggest gearless Maerskline vessel at the Onne Ports is a result of management’s determination to improve the patronage of the Eastern Ports.
“It is an indication of the fact that the Eastern Ports are equipped to receive all manner of vessels and an expansion of the options of consignees in the Eastern and northern parts of the country.”
The statement further said that the NPA management congratulated its team at the Onne Ports and all stakeholders at the Onne Ports for their cooperation towards seeing that the vessel berthed safely without any challenge.
NPA, the statement further stated, promised to ensure that “all ports locations in Nigeria work at their optimal capacity and the repositioning of Nigerian ports as the hub in the sub-region.”
