Pacific International Lines (PIL), Asia’s leading shipping company, has berthed its largest container vessel at Onne Port, River State, to eliminate extra cost from transshipment via smaller feeder vessels and reduce freight tariffs for Nigerian traders.

The Singaporean-flagged vessel, christened ‘MV Kota Carum,’ measuring 301.43 metres in length with a capacity of 6,606 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) berthed at the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), utilising berths 9 and 10 of the port.

The mega container vessel, which is a major addition to the line of large vessels now calling Onne Port, will, during its 55-hour port stay, discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619 containers, including export-bound cargo and empty containers in the Southeast region.

Speaking at a reception to welcome the vessel, the Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, said berthing larger vessels at the port eliminates the need for transshipment via smaller feeder vessels, thereby cutting logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.

He added that it also meant more direct cargo movement and increased revenue for the country, noting that freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transshipments.

Stewart stated that the vessel’s arrival reflects the company’s continued growth, strategic investments in terminal infrastructure and unwavering commitment to operational excellence.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its support in creating an enabling environment for OMT to thrive, emphasising that the company’s ongoing modernisation efforts, including the acquisition of additional state-of-the-art cranes, have significantly enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and reduced vessel turnaround time.

He called on the Federal Government to allocate more funding for channel dredging at the Onne Port to accommodate larger vessels and boost trade volumes.

“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But for us to unlock the full potential of Onne Port, additional dredging is essential. We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels,” Stewart appealed.

Also speaking, the Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, reaffirmed the NPA’s technical readiness to handle large vessels.

He assured that the NPA is fully equipped, both in training and technology, to safely pilot large vessels into the nation’s ports, noting that the successful berthing of Kota Carum was evidence of the agency’s capacity and professionalism.