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The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has commissioned 16 new terminal trucks to boost efficiency in cargo handling at the Onne Port, Rivers State.
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The Country Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, said the additional container handling equipment would improve the turnaround time for vessels calling WACT.
He said the acquisition and commissioning of the new terminal trucks make it 36 of such deployed into WACT’s operations.
“The terminal has essentially renewed itself on an existing ground and now stands as a fully modern and equipped terminal. These trucks will enhance the capacity of WACT and enable it to handle more volume,” Klinke said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of WACT, Naved Zafar, said the trucks were acquired as part of a fresh investment of $112 million by APM Terminals to upgrade and expand the terminal.
Zafar said the new fleet is part of WACT’s ongoing Onne terminal upgrade and expansion project that has been going strong for the last two years.
He said the container terminal is coming closer to completing the major part of that expansion project.
The upgrade, according to him, includes the acquisition of Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs), Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, empty handlers, terminal trucks and forklifts.
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Others are deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, expansion of the current yard, a new workshop and a new terminal gate complex.
Zafar said the acquisition and commissioning of the new terminal trucks is a clear manifestation of APM Terminal’s commitment to the country and an indication of the role WACT is playing in the trade and economic development of Nigeria.
The Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area 2 Command, Bola Imam, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller Acho Ojike, acknowledged WACT’s commitment to trade facilitation and revenue generation.
He said WACT’s operations have supported the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) immensely in generating revenue and meeting their targets.
According to Imam, NCS is all about revenue collection, which cannot be achieved without WACT, which has shown wonderful commitment towards this course.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Port Manager of Onne Port, Stanley Magaji Yitnoe, commended WACT for acquiring the new trucks, which he said would aid efficiency, improve productivity and ensure quick turnaround of vessels at the port in line with the Federal Government’s policy on the ease of doing business.
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