Gold Star Line’s liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessel, MV Sapphire, with a capacity of 7,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), has berthed at APM Terminals in Apapa Port.
The Singapore-flagged vessel, built in 2024, features an advanced LNG propulsion system, and its size and technology align with Nigeria’s drive for sustainable, green shipping operations in line with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) target of achieving zero carbon emissions in the maritime sector by 2030.
Speaking at the berthing of the ship on Monday, the Managing Director of Lagos and Niger Shipping Agency Limited (LANSAL), Todd Rives, which represents Gold Star Line in Nigeria, described the berthing as a historic milestone.
He recalled that the shipping line, incorporated in 1958, remains one of the oldest shipping agencies operating in Nigeria, with a longstanding commitment to customer service.
He stressed that the arrival of the MV Sapphire was more than just a routine docking, but rather a symbol of progress and partnership, designed to reduce voyage costs, promote operational efficiency, and reinforce environmental sustainability.
According to him, the vessel is the beginning of a new era in Nigerian maritime trade, and he expressed optimism that her sister ships would also call at the port in the near future.
Commercial Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Kayode Daniel, described the moment as a significant achievement for the port and underlined the shared commitment to sustainable maritime practices.
He explained that shipping lines globally are working together to reduce emissions in line with international sustainability targets.
He praised LANSAL for deploying LNG-powered vessels in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirming that it was aligned with the global APM Terminals ESG goals to move to cleaner sources of energy, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
The Port Manager of the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Adebowale Lawal, represented by the Chief Port Security Officer, Bukar Kaumi, commended Gold Star Line and LANSAL for their foresight.
He noted that the maritime industry is evolving as larger vessels begin to berth at Nigerian ports and stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for such developments.
Lawal explained that LNG vessels are critical in addressing the challenges of climate change while at the same time reducing costs and driving economies of scale.
He assured stakeholders of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s commitment to ensuring a viable and competitive environment for trade.
In his remarks, the Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Osoba, represented by Deputy Comptroller Musa Sama, congratulated both the shipping line and the terminal operator for what he described as the dawn of a new chapter in maritime transportation.
He applauded the adoption of LNG technology as a bold step towards a cleaner and more efficient logistics chain, reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to support and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless trade facilitation and to enable businesses in Apapa to thrive.
