NPA berths vessel at Onne Port, says complex becoming attractive for container traffic

Desmond Okon
APRIL 15, 2022 2:26 PM

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it has successfully berthed a vessel, MV Lady Jane, at Onne Port Complex, Rivers state.

NPA said the effort is aimed at reviving activities and growing traffic in the eastern ports.

Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director, NPA, said this at a recent media parley.

He was represented by Stanley Yitnoe, Onne port manager, at the event.

According to NPA, the vessel with an overall length of 295 metres and a draft of 12 metres berthed at the West African Container Terminal of the port on Wednesday.

The vessel, which sailed from Majuro in the Marshall Islands, discharged 840 TEUs and loaded 1,060 TEUs 50 per cent of which are agricultural commodities — Cashew nuts, Sesame seed, Cassia Tora seeds, etc.

Bello-Koko said vessels showed the commitment of the authority to repositioning the eastern ports toward productivity.

“What this milestone signpost is the fact the initiatives of the authority geared towards repositioning the eastern ports for productivity are yielding results and that Onne Port Complex is fast becoming an attraction for container vessel traffic. However, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels; we must continually strive to surpass stakeholders’ expectations,” he said.

He commended the sailors for the professionalism demonstrated in the safe berthing of the vessel.

Bello-Koko assured that the management would ensure full-scale rehabilitation of infrastructure, as well as improvement of port security through illumination and deployment of access control to check unauthorised entry.

When Bello-Koko took leadership of NPA this year, he had said reviving activities at the eastern ports was a top priority.

“We will not relent on our core mandate — trade facilitation; easing gridlock in the ports corridors, and encouraging the full utilisation of the Eastern Ports,” he had said.

Yesterday, a vessel, MV LADY JANE with a Length overall of 295m and a draft of 12m berthed at the WACT Terminal, Onne Port. This has again proven the Authority’s readiness to consolidate on the growth of container vessel traffic in the Eastern Ports.

The vessel which sailed from Majuro in the Marshall Islands is discharging 840 TEUs and loading 1,060 TEUs 50% of which are agricultural commodities — Cashew nuts, Sesame seed, Cassia Tora seeds, etc.

This is coming on the heels of the reception at Onne Port of the first-ever export-laden barge containing 120 TEUs of Cocoa to Belgium via Cotonou earlier this year.

Although Onne Port has been traditionally known for Oil and Gas logistics, the implementation of fresh ideas by the @MohdBelloKoko administration had resulted in a 30% increase in container traffic at year-end, 2021.

This is a testament to the unwavering resolve of the Authority to promote non-oil exports and support the effort of the Federal Government at diversifying the economy.

RenaissanceGuy:
PH is just bearing the name 'port city', whilst Lagos handles nearly 100% of all port operations in Nigeria. Shame of a disjointed country, concentrating all its wealth in two cities - Abuja and Lagos, whilst the rest wallow in poverty, penury and unemployment.

RenaissanceGuy:
PH is just bearing the name 'port city', whilst Lagos handles nearly 100% of all port operations in Nigeria. Shame of a disjointed country, concentrating all its wealth in two cities - Abuja and Lagos, whilst the rest wallow in poverty, penury and unemployment.

Houseofglam7:
It’s a port right?
How’s a vessel berthing at a port news