By YUSUF BABALOLA September 27, 2019

Thirteen years after its concession, Calabar Port Complex has received its maiden Marguisa Shipping Line’s container vessel. The port has not enjoyed patronage of container liners due to draft limitations on the channel. Currently, Calabar channel has a draft of 6.4 meters at high tide, but requires Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to complete the dredging to the advertised draft of 9.4 meters to attract regular and bigger tonnage. But the berthing of the MV Boreas in Calabar signifies a milestone achieved through the strategic marketing of Ecomarine Terminals Limited, a terminal concessionaire in Calabar port.

The vessel has length of 116.23 meters, gross tonnage of 6569 and net tonnage of 2874. Built in 2007, the vessel working for a Spain based Marguisa, came with both laden and empty containers and securely anchored at ECM Terminals at about 13.27 HRS on Monday 23 September.

The general manager, ECM, Diran Akorede, who confirmed this said: “The berthing of the container vessel at our facility on Monday was the crowning moment of the several marketing efforts to attract a liner service to Calabar over the years.

“In October last year, we had preliminary discussion with Marguisa representative on possibility of commencing calls to Calabar. To make the call viable to Marguisa, we made several concessions on rates and co-opted other stakeholders into the efforts followed with road shows to sensitise potential clients. The maiden call of the vessel was the outcome of such efforts spearheaded by Ecomarine in conjunction with Marguisa.”

Akorede said, in preparation for receipt of container vessel, the terminal has invested massively on container handling equipment from inception of the concession most of which have been idle ever since.

“We are ISO certified and have well documented processes to ensure transparency and efficiency in our service delivery,” he said. “Our systems are fully automated and the facility is fully ISPS compliant. We also have paved stacking area that has remained unutilised over the years. For us, we have been prepared from the inception and therefore handled the discharge operations in the best professional manner.

“As a port, our pact with Marguisa is to provide and ensure efficient service delivery, quick turnaround for their vessel and incentive scheme to support their voyage profitability.

For us, the pact remains as long as the vessel continue to call our terminal.”

Akorede said ECM terminal is ready to receive more container vessels with its ultra-modern cargo handling equipment. Calabar Port has been plagued by the challenge of low draft due to the failure of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to dredge the channel to the advertised draft of 9.4m and since shipping has evolved to bigger tonnages requiring deeper draft, the port has been seriously constrained.

The ECM manager therefore urged NPA to urgently complete the dredging of the channel to the advertised draft of 9.4m to ease the difficulty in attracting container vessel to the terminal.

He also enjoined the ports authority to introduce a more effective incentive scheme such as the 30 per cent rebate hitherto in place before the concession.

To further facilitate patronage and easy evacuation of cargoes, he said the government should ensure quick completion of the road contract from Odukpani Junction through Ikot Ekpene to Aba, already awarded to Julius Berger.

However, he acknowledged the purposeful partnership they have enjoyed with NPA over the years, especially the commitment of the managing director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman who from inception of her tenure has given priority attention to resolving some of the key challenges that have bedevilled the port while emphasising the need for her to ensure the completion of the dredging.


https://leadership.ng/2019/09/27/calabar-seaport-receives-1st-container-vessel-in-13-years/

Lalasticlala

Okay

PDP - failure.

.

This is a welcome development.... they should just open up eastern and all other ports for ease of doing biz.

Jonathan really failed the South East and South South region. Was it also the opposition then that asked him not to do something about the Eastern and Southern ports. Jonathan no try at all that is the fact. He wasted his precious opportunity trying to pacify the ingrate Northerners.

Currently, Calabar channel has a draft of 6.4 meters at high tide

Is that word "draft" or "draught"?

Simplyleo:


Is that word "draft" or "draught"?

Both are correct.

_ _ _

Hadizat Usman has really been impressive.

Okay.

Goodluck Jonathan is a curse to the Niger Delta.

They will receive another in next 26 year to come

Welcome to one Nigeria

One step up twenty steps down.

If you think is hard to build Nigeria use RUGA as a case study.

The extreme energy the presidency and FG is displaying with RUGA if they put them in Calabar seaport, our Roads, Power etc. Nigeria will be a place to visit

technuel:
Jonathan really failed the South East and South South region. Was it also the opposition then that asked him not to do something about the Eastern and Southern ports. Jonathan no try at all that is the fact. He wasted his precious opportunity trying to pacify the ingrate Northerners.

the one that irks me the most is that there is a road that link Bayelsa to Delta state. In 2007, I passed that road for an aptitude test. Then we had OBJ. In 2014, I passed that road to attend a wedding at Bayelsa and it was if they were starting afresh on same project.

I don't like Buhari but if we consider infrastructures he is handling and completing from previous regime before his, he deserve an applause.

GEJ forked up.

Wickedfacts:


How many did your father send there?

No wonder you look like a stranded ghost in your dp.

that was rude you dont have to insult his father na. its really unfair . dont you have parents?

Wickedfacts:


How many did your father send there?

No wonder you look like a stranded ghost in your dp.

Self deception is the most dangerous sickness

Stay in your shithole

technuel:
Jonathan really failed the South East and South South region. Was it also the opposition then that asked him not to do something about the Eastern and Southern ports. Jonathan no try at all that is the fact. He wasted his precious opportunity trying to pacify the ingrate Northerners.

Well captured, he was hoping on getting re-elected as he felt he already had the votes of SS and SE.

Happyguy201:

that was rude you dont have to insult his father na. its really unfair . dont you have parents?

Why asking, you want to beg them for money?

If you don't have parents, that's your problem.

technuel:
Jonathan really failed the South East and South South region. Was it also the opposition then that asked him not to do something about the Eastern and Southern ports. Jonathan no try at all that is the fact. He wasted his precious opportunity trying to pacify the ingrate Northerners.

That is what the Northerners do, they make you fail your people, thereafter, they please them and take the glory

Typical Nigerian,why insulting his father ,you are also part of the rotten system.

Wickedfacts:


How many did your father send there?

No wonder you look like a stranded ghost in your dp.

Wickedfacts:
Goodluck Jonathan is a curse to the Niger Delta.

13 years ago was 2006. Why is Jonathan alone being blamed? I think we have been brainwashed. Every problem no matter when was caused by Jonathan. How long does dredging take? What was the height 4 years after concession for instance? We just jumped into conclusion. Na Jonathan cause am.

The eastern ports will eventually work. Not because of political will but unavoidable necessity. Lagos is now a disaster because of port congestion.

Not saying Jonathan can't get some knocks but let's remember there were other leaders before him too. It's also better to get the full details and history which none of us have.

Studyinchina200:
Typical Nigerian,why insulting his father ,you are also part of the rotten system.

Charlatans shouldn't quote me.
Go and find something doing with your life and stop human trafficking.

Wickedfacts:
Goodluck Jonathan is a curse to the Niger Delta.

but a blessing to the north and the almajiri?that is how to be selfess leader.

Ikpongiton:
but a blessing to the north and the almajiri?that is how to be selfess leader.

GEJ and Buhari, who has more beneficial to the North?
GEJ and Buhari, who has been more beneficial to the South?