Tin-Can Port makes history, receives largest container vessel to visit Lagos

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has recorded another milestone with the berthing of the largest-ever container vessel to call at any port in Lagos at the Tin-Can Island Port Complex.

The vessel named MSC Maureen with a Length Overall (LOA) of 300 meters and a breadth of 40 meters, had a Gross Tonnage of 75,590 Dead weight of 85,810 tons. It also has the capacity to carry a total of 15,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of containers (TEUS).

Speaking on Tuesday at the Tin-Can quayside where the vessel was received, Jibril Buba, the port manager of the Tin-Can Island Port Complex, said the development is a testament to the NPA’s readiness to receive vessels despite the pressing need to rehabilitate infrastructure at Tin-Can Port.

He said the management of the Authority is working assiduously under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation to actualise that as soon as possible.

Simpa Habib, the assistant Harbour Master of Tin-Can Port, said that the distinguishing historic feature of MSC Maureen was the fact that it is the largest ever commercial carrier to call at the Lagos Pilotage district.

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According to him, the EGINA that preceded it was a Floating Production and Storage unit for Oil and Gas operations.

Emmanuel Samaila, a pilot said it was a great achievement to bring a vessel with a length of 300 meters to Tin-Can Port, which is a double of the kind of vessels that usually call at the Port.

Andrew Lynch, the managing director of M.S.C Nigeria Limited, said the coming of the vessel would bring greater benefit to Lagos importers and exporters because it will make the port more competitive.

Recall that Mohammed Bello-Koko, the managing director Nigerian Ports Authority had said that the Authority was at the conclusive stages of securing approvals for the reconstruction of the Tin-Can Port.

He said it also involves the rehabilitation of infrastructure across all Port locations in readiness for increased port competitiveness as the management team puts modalities in place to position Nigerian Ports to service the cargo needs of landlocked neighbouring countries through trans-shipment.