Lagos – Ports and Cargo Handling Service Company Ltd, (Sifax Group) on Friday inaugurated a new vessel known as MV SCL Angela to meet the demands of shippers.
Mr John Jenkins, the Managing Director of Port and Cargo Handling Company Ltd., showcased the vessel at its inauguration in Lagos.
He said the vessel would be managed by Sifax Group and a Moroccan firm under the auspices of MNM African Shipping Line.
Jenkins said the essence of going into the venture was to reduce freight charges and terminal handling costs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vessel would ply designated ports like- Barcelona, Valencia, Casablanca, Tangier, Sagunto, Agadir, Dakar, Lagos, Tema and Abidjan.
Dr Phil Ofulue, Executive Director, Sifax Group, said it had been a good journey since the firm took control of the terminal `C’ at the Tin-Can Island port.
Ofulue said the vessel was designated for African shippers but would also serve shippers from other continents.
According to him, the arrangement is to ensure that African shippers have easy access to the vessel which could meet their needs on cargo.
He commended the stakeholders and government agencies for their regular support as well as Federal Government’s approval of smooth operation of the vessel.
Mr Henry Ajoh, General Manager, Shipping, Sifax Group, said the procurement of the vessel was the brain-child of Dr Taiwo Afolabi, the Vice Chairman, Sifax Group.
Ajoh said the vessels would take the services of Sifax Group all over the world,
He said the third partner- a Mauritanian firm, had pulled out of the joint venture.
Ajoh said a lot of hurdles were crossed and challenges faced before the full acquisition of the vessel.
He said the vessel would call at Nigerian ports every fortnight.
Mr Abiodun Adewole of the Enforcement Unit of the Tin-Can Island Customs Command commended the management of the shipping line.
Adewole said the nation was moving forward as a result of increase in the volume of cargo coming into the country.
He gave an assurance that the service would assist the shipping line in trade facilitation.
Mrs Cecilia Ifeora, an official of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) said the management of the council was happy to receive the large vessel with a large volume of cargo into Nigerian port.
She commended the efforts of the Sifax Group for diligence and the transparent performance report by maritime stakeholders and other port operators.
Ifeora assured that the council would accord Sifax Group the necessary support.
Mr Kayode Farinto, the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) acknowledged the effectiveness of operations of Sifax.
Farinto said Sifax Group had an open-door policy, saying that clearing agents were satisfied with the operations of the firm.
He urged Sifax Group to spread its operations to Antwerp, Brussels and Rotterdam. (NAN)