The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said it has berthed a vessel named Kota Cempake with a length overall of 300 metres at the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State.
“The vessel named “KOTA CEMPAKA” has an International Maritime Organization (IMO) number 9638965 and sails under the flag of Singapore shipped in 566 laden containers,” NPA said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement quoted the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko as saying that the “feat” is a confirmation of the capacity and readiness of the ports outside Lagos to receive large vessels.
“This also shows that our investments in channel navigability and security are yielding results. We will sustain our advocacy for the patronage of the eastern ports,” Koko said.
Recall that the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), which is the largest and most efficient container terminal outside the Lagos area, has been receiving very large container vessels since 2020.
On 15th August 2020, WACT received the Maersk Stadelhorn, a ship with length overall of 300 metres and beam of 48.2 metres. The ship has capacity to carry about 10,000 TEU (Twenty Equivalent Units) of containers.
On 13th April 2022, WACT also received a 5,042 TEUs containership named Lady Jane operated by OOCL shipping line. The ship has a length overall of 294.5 meters.
