Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has said that the improved vessel dwell time at Lekki Port was in fulfilment of the authority’s promise to deliver speedy cargo dwell time through improved efficiencies at the nation’s seaports.
Bello-Koko spoke on the backdrop of the berthing of a 300 Meter Length Over vessel at Lekki port on Friday, May 19, 2023, the largest commercial vessel to call at the port since commencing operations and was released the same day.
The vessel christened CMA-CGM RABELAIS, has an impressive capacity of 6,570 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) that discharged and loaded cargo at the port.
The journey of the vessel originated from Shanghai, China and it berthed at Lekki Port.
Bello-Koko said the authority will, however, improve on the milestone.
“The fact that this vessel is departing the country on the same day it berthed is a fulfilment of our promise to deliver on speedy cargo dwell time through improved efficiencies, and state of the art machinery and I am delighted to assure you that we are committed to continuously improving on this milestone,” the NPA boss said.
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Also speaking on the milestone, Monday Gajere, assistant Harbour Master for Lekki Port, said the marine equipment procured by the authority set the pace for seamless berthing of the vessel.
“The thorough navigation risk assessment involving Pilots, Tugs and Mooring gangs set the pace for seamless berthing of the large cargo carrier is a demonstration of the NPA’s talent-readiness to maximize the competitive advantages that Lekki Port deep draught and state-of-the-art equipment offers as Nigeria advances towards attaining Port hub status,” he said.
The CMA CGM Rabelais has set a new record for the port and, indeed, the Lagos Pilotage District, as being the largest vessel in ship dimensions to berth in the district, second only to the largest FPSO in the world, Total’s Egina FPSO.
The vessel, which was safely manoeuvred to berth by the Nigerian Ports Authority led by Pilot Fagbo Sayid, sailed from Shanghai and made brief stops at Kribi and Cotonou before sailing to Lekki Port.
According to Du Ruogang, the managing director of Lekki Port, this milestone attests to the readiness of the port to become a major hub for global trade and logistics, which is evident in its capacity to receive larger vessels.
Recall that the port received its first commercial vessel, the GSL Alice vessel, on 6th April 2023
