WACT stakes $2.5m on port facility upgrade

• Acquires reach stacker, more terminal trucks at Onne
The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has staked over $2.5 million investment in the provision of equipment and the development of facilities at the terminal in Onne Port, Rivers State.

To further enhance the port’s efficiency, the company recently acquired additional equipment including a reach stacker and two terminal trucks to further boost cargo handling operation at the port.

This brings to six the number of trucks acquired by WACT this year, with four previously acquired in February 2019.

Managing Director of WACT, Aamir Mirza, disclosed at the official commissioning of the new trucks, said four more trucks are expected to arrive the terminal in May 2019, bringing the total to 10 this year.

Mirza said the company has so far invested $2.5 million in the provision of equipment and the development of facilities at the terminal, adding that the new trucks will improve the level of service and develop the capability of the terminal to handle increasing container volumes.

“The trucks are purpose built for terminal operations and can easily manoeuvre inside the terminal. In February, we brought four trucks and now, we have brought two more trucks and four more are on the way. We have bought a third reach stacker, which is used for handling containers and loading them from the port.

“With all this equipment coming in, we are confident that our services will continue to improve. The stakeholders are already acknowledging the presence of the equipment and this is all being done for the customers. This will make them happy so that they can bring more business to Onne Port,” he said.

The Port Manager of Onne Port represented by Yohana Izam congratulated WACT for its strong commitment to efficiency and top customer service.

He said, “We appreciate the effort WACT has made towards acquiring these trucks. It will help their business and improve overall port performance.”

WACT, which started commercial operations in 2007, is the most customer friendly port facility in the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria. With a capacity of 314,000 TEUs, 375 reefer plugs and berths with depth of up to 12 meters, it is also the most efficient gateway to most markets outside the Lagos area.