Efforts to increase ship traffic at the Eastern ports has received a boost with the successful handling of a containership measuring 265 metres in length overall by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) at the Onne Port Complex, Rivers State.

The ship, named JPO Volans, is the first gearless vessel and the largest containership ever to visit a seaport outside the Lagos area.

The Managing Director of WACT, Mr. Aamir Mirza, said the German vessel brought containers to the Onne Port from the Far East. He said it took only 2.75 days to turnaround the vessel.

“This is another major achievement for Onne Port and another testament to our commitment to set new standards and serve our customers better,” Mirza said.

He said WACT was able to handle this gearless vessel by deploying its newly commissioned Mobile Harbor Cranes.

“The key achievement here is our ability to handle larger, gearless, mainline vessels that were considered only suitable for terminals in Lagos. By handling these vessels, we have not only proven to the world that Eastern Nigerian ports are equally capable of handling these large ships but have also improved the profile of Onne port globally. I would like to particularly thank NPA, under the leadership of Madam Hadiza, Port Manager Onne, Onne Harbour Master and Pilots for their support in making this happen.

“With our major investment plans in the pipeline, this will go a long way in improving our capabilities and highlighting same to all our shipping line and landside customers,” the WACT Managing Director said.

In September, WACT acquired two Mobile Harbor Cranes worth $10 million (N3.6 billion) to boost operation at the terminal. The terminal operator also acquired 10 specialized terminal trucks and two new reach stackers to complement existing cargo handling equipment, to increase the turnaround time of vessels at the port.

The new cranes and other investments effectively brought WACT at par with its peers in Lagos ports in terms of equipment availability and operational efficiency.

“Our vision is to make WACT the best performing container terminal in West Africa. We believe we are on course to realizing this vision in record time with the support of relevant authorities and stakeholders,” Aamir said.

WACT, which is the first greenfield container terminal built in Nigeria under public-private partnership, started commercial operations in 2007 and has become the most efficient Nigerian gateway to markets outside the Lagos area. It has an annual container throughput capacity of 314,000 TEUs, with 375 reefer plugs and a draft of 10.5 meters alongside.

Source: https://leadership.ng/2019/12/17/after-12-years-first-largest-container-vessel-berth-in-onne-port/

Picture for illustration

good one, good news for Igbo importers

Kudos to APM Terminals, operator of the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) .

Please decongest Lagos. Thank you

ok nah

Nice nice nice.

Trully Lagos needs to be decongested

And some will still say Bubu is not working

This is commendable, I think this government is serious

This is a reasonable development. Check the link in my signature

Welcome development. No wonder! my uncle has been importing all the machinery needed for his tissue factory in Aba via Onne seaport. Obviously makes economic sense to him
Portharcourt, Aba and Enugu industrial layouts will soon witness improved activities.

Nice one

This is the change we voted for.


Good news for we Easterners and Nigeria at large.

Slow and steady we will get to a New Nigeria, A land flowing with milk and honey.

We are in safe and able hands

God bless Nigeria.

Good news for me.

I have this bad habit of going around offing my neighbors noisy generator by 12am... they don't usually come out due to ghost story I told them.

Faddd:
This is commendable, I think this government is serious

JIDECAC:
Nice one

winterfell007:
Welcome development. No wonder my uncle has importing all the machinery needed for his tissue factory in Aba via Onne.
Portharcourt, Aba and Enugu industrial layouts will soon witness improved activities.

jimyjames:
good one, good news for Igbo importers

Patrotism:
This is highly commendable. It will open up the eastern coastal line.

Tpave:
This is a very good news for the eastern importers especially igbos

Slow and steady we will get to a New and better Nigeria.

We are on the right track.

God bless Nigeria.

RichDad1:
And some will still say Bubu is now working

Just ignore those sets of people.
Bad and negative energy every single day of their miserable lives is what gives them the kick.
They cannot do without wailing.
Just keep being positive man.

Nigeria will be great again in our lifetime.

You sure

RichDad1:
And some will still say Bubu is now working

Them yakpa for Nairaland..make i mentioned some

They will surely quote you..

See dem

Good job...

More of it abeg.

When will they open the Warri seaport to the outside world?

Are Niger delta militants and sea pirate disturbing the free flow of ships across the sea route?

Apapa, Lagos port has been over used.

The federal government should decongest Lagos ports that is becoming too tight and look towards the Niger delta region

phantom:
Picture for illustration

I like the above statement especially.
Well done.

Nice

Good. Hopefully they can all go back to their jungle!

Nigeria gradually sailing forward

I don't know why I'm very happy with this news.

I think it's a good one. Let the commercialization be decentralized from Lagos.

May this not be the end.

This is a very good news for the eastern importers especially igbos

Good news for importers. Logistical costs minimized for goods en route to SouthEastern and South-Southern Nigeria.

Kai where the imported rice

wink2015:
When will they open the Warri seaport to the outside world?

Are Niger delta militants and sea pirate disturbing the free flow of ships across the sea route?

Apapa, Lagos port has been over used.

The federal government should decongest Lagos ports that is becoming too tight and look towards the Niger delta region

Do you know that the federal government includes the NASS?
So have you spoken to your senators and representatives on this? What is their response?


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