Nigeria received its biggest-ever container vessel as the Maerskline Starderlhorn vessel docked at the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne Port, Rivers State at about 4:20 pm local time on Saturday.
The Nigeria Ports Authority made this announcement via its verified Twitter handle.
The Nigerian Ports Authority is pleased to announce the successful berthing of the biggest Container vessel to ever call at any Nigerian port. pic.twitter.com/K9vAWh3NJX
— Nigerian Ports (@nigerianports) August 15, 2020
The Vessel, which is a flagship from Singapore has a length of 300 meters, a width of 48 meters and a capacity of 9,971 (TUEs).
The Onne Port is one of the major ports in the country for oil and gas exploration and it’s believed that the arrival of the vessel will ease the burden on the Apapa port and it will also boost economic activities in the region.
The vessel, which was brought in from Fairway Bouy Bonny with the aid of three Tugboats operated by three of the Authority’s pilots, was received by Ports Manager of the Onne Ports, Mr. Alhasssan Abubakar.
A statement by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications Nigerian Ports Authority Jatto A. Adams partly read: 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 Management of the NPA congratulates its team at the Onne Ports, Management also appreciates all stakeholders at the Onne Ports for their cooperation towards seeing that the vessel berthed safely without any challenge.
The Authority assures of its commitment to ensuring that all ports locations in Nigeria work at their optimal capacity and the repositioning of Nigerian ports as the hub in the sub-region.