LAGOS – The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Thursday said that the West African Maximum (WAFMAX) vessel will call at Onne Port in Rivers State on Wednesday May 14.
Its Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, told newsmen in Lagos that the vessel would fulfil its commitment to “appreciate” Nigerian customers.
Abdullahi said that the vessel, WAFMAX, would be operated by the Maersk -Line and APM Terminal, saying that the successive dredging campaigns by the NPA had started yielding positive results.
“Navigational channels are now safe and navigable, but it has also started attracting bigger vessels which thereto did not call on our shores.
“The coming of WAFMAX vessel into Onne is one of the manifestations that are as a result of deepening of Bonny Channels,” Abdullahi said.
He said that the operations of big vessels at Onne port would lead to the attainment of a hub port status, which he said, was consistent with the transformation agenda.
Abdullahi, however, described the MAFMAX vessel as a jumbo container vessel with capacity of 4500 Twenty- Foot Equivalent Units (TUEs).
He said that the vessel would be the largest vessel ever to call at Onne port.
He said that the NPA was waiting to receive the vessel and would also ensure that it’s calling at Onne would be safely handled.
Abdullahi also disclosed that dredged depth of 12. 5 and 14.3 metres through Bonny Channels and other terminals in the country had been achieved.
“Customers’ diversion of cargoes to another place does not mean that Nigeria lacks the capacity, but huge activities are going on at the port.
“The high patronage gives many investors chance to invest in Nigeria.
“This has also created establishment of the Lekki, Badagry and some other new ports coming into the country,” Abdullahi said. (NAN)
