Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited made history recently when the largest ship to call at any Nigerian port berthed at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos terminal of Ports & Cargo, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group.
The container vessel, MSC SHAULA, owned and operated by MSC Ship Management Hong Kong, the Asian division of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which is the second largest container shipping operator in the world, has an overall length of 275.04 meters and the length between perpendiculars stands at 263.00 meters.
MSC SHAULA, built by the Hyundai Heavy Industries, has a maximum cargo capacity of 4,651 TEUs while its draft and gross tonnage are 13.62 meters and 51,836 GRT respectively.
Speaking after the incident, Mr. John Jenkins, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, said it was historic but not coincidental that such vessel berthed at the Ports & Cargo terminal.
He said: “We are delighted that history was made with the arrival of this humongous vessel in the Nigerian waters, most especially its berth at our terminal. Ports & Cargo terminal has demonstrated over the years its leadership capability in the country’s maritime industry, particularly in the area of port terminal management coupled with excellent customer service.
“The company has made a huge investment in infrastructure and equipment at the terminal in the last ten years and has also attracted a number of discerning clients, including MSC, the operator of the vessel. What has been the unique selling proposition of the terminal is the quality of service that we provide.
Speaking on his experience, the captain of the ship, Captain Dinkar, noted that he has received warm welcome from the Ports & Cargo terminal staff as well as other government regulatory agencies like Nigerian Ports Authority, among others. He also expressed his delight at the impressive equipment at the terminal.
