Nigeria Receives Biggest Container Vessel At Onne Port

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  NPA gets encomiums

The Nigerian Ports Authority, Onne Port complex has successfully Berthed one of the biggest gearless Maerskline vessel, calling at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne in Rivers State, Nigeria.
The vessel arrived Saturday August 15, 2020 fully berthed at 1620 hrs, Nigerian time.
Speaking, while receiving the vessel, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, represented by the Asst. General Manager Harbours, Captain Uduiguomen Eboreime said she was elated with the safe arrival of the  ‘Maersk Stadelhorn  Vessel’ at  Onne Port.
The NPA Managing Director also reassured that the Authority is equal to the task, observing that a five-day preparation was required for the arrival of the vessel from Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Giving details of the vessel which is the biggest ever container vessel to arrive at any Nigerian ports, Maesrkline Port Captain Kikelomo Abiola Cudjoe  said the length of the vessel is 300 metres (length overall), the width is 48 metres and a total draught of 11.2 metres, while the vessel capacity stood at 9,971 TEUs.
Receiving the vessel, ‘Maerskline Stardelhorn’ at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne  along with some officials of the Onne Port Team, the Port Manager  Alhasssan Ismaila Abubakar said  the arrival of the vessel is a milestone attained by NPA.
He  expressed appreciation to the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala  Usman for the support and assistance given to Onne port Complex in making the arrival of the vessel possible.
“I give kudos to NPA MD. She made this landmark achievement today possible. This is the first time such a gigantic container vessel is calling at  any Nigerian ports’’, the Port Manager stated categorically.
The Port Manager added that the arrival of the vessel is a trial, observing that the port is  well equipped with all facilities and equipment to receive the vessel.
He stated that the vessel was brought in from Fairway Bouy Bonny by NPA’s three  Pilots who are well  trained  on pilotage of such vessel.
“We deployed 3 TUG  Boats with 3 Pilots from Onne Port Complex, and for us, the successful arrival of this vessel showcase the expertise of NPA’s Ports Operations”, the Port Manager stated.
According to Abubakar, this development shows that NPA is fully equipped, noting that shippers in the Eastern Zone and those in the Northern axis will have options and consumers in the Eastern and Northern axis will benefit; even as he congratulated NPA staff for a credible performance on safe arrival of the vessel.
Also speaking at the event, the Country Manager of AP Moller, Mr. Klaus Laursen said, “This is the biggest container vessel to call in Nigerian ports. ‘Maersk Stadelhorn’ is a flagship from Singapore, while the vessel  sailed from Cotonou Port in Benin Republic to Onne Port in Nigeria.”
Captain Marvin Omovbude, an Asst Harbour  Master Onne Port,   who led other Pilots – Ezra Yashiyi Yakubu and Abdulahi Sarki piloted the vessel to Onne Port Complex.
The vessel arrived safely without any security challenges, indicating that the security status of Onne channel has improved tremendously and the channel depth has also been improved and maintained to receive such large modern vessel.
Speaking to port stakeholders who came to welcome the vessel, Captain Omovbude said  NPA has recorded a milestone, adding that Onne port is taking the lead in port oerations and efficiency among the ports in the West African sub-region.
It should be noted that Executive Management of Nigerian Ports Authority led by Hadiza Bala Usman has been implementing deliberate policies to promote the patronage of the Eastern Ports by given incentives and provision of Port facilities and dredging of the channel.
This information was disseminated in a press release signed by the Head, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Onne Port Complex, Barbara Ejemeh Nchey-Achukwu at the weekend.