Largest container vessel berths at Onne for second time

Despite the low volume of ship visits to the eastern ports, the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) has once again, received the largest container ship ever to carry out full operations at the seaport.

The vessel christened KOTA CEMPAKA and owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), is 300 meters long and can carry 6,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers.

The vessel was received on its historic second voyage on August 5, 2024, within three months of its maiden visit, by officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and OMT.

The ship’s first visit to Onne Port was on April 27, 2024, when it loaded and discharged over 2,000 containers full of Nigerian imports and exports.

The Chief Operating Officer of OMT Onne, Jim Stewart, praised the NPA for handling such a large ship and ensuring it berthed successfully, as well as for making the port channels navigable.

Stewart noted that the visit of KOTA CEMPAKA to Nigeria will support the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the country’s economic base by boosting non-oil exports and generating more revenue for the government.

“The arrival of such large vessels is part of a global trend where shipping lines are upscaling vessel sizes to achieve economies of scale and reduce transport costs for importers and exporters,” Stewart said.

He also mentioned that the terminal is pleased to contribute to reducing vessel waiting times in the eastern port while doubling container capacity and enhancing competition to the benefit of all customers.

He said the terminal is investing in new equipment, including more modern cranes, to enable it to handle even bigger vessels.

Speaking at the reception of the container ship, the Port Manager of Onne Port, Hussein Abdulrahman, said the vessel brought in more cargo on its second voyage to the port than during its first call.

He commended OMT and other stakeholders for the successful berthing, discharging, and loading of the vessel.