The Lekki Deep Seaport on Sunday berthed the largest container vessel to sail on Nigerian territorial waters.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) which said it has taken trade facilitation a notch higher with the berthing of the largest container carrier.
The NPA said the vessel measuring 367M in length overall christened “Maersk Edirne” has a Breadth of 48.2 and carried a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 142,131metric tonnes and a Dead weight Tonnage (DWT) of 147,340 metric tonnes.
The vessel which constituted 3,376 total cargo onboard was navigated to safety by the highly experienced and thoroughly equipped Pilots of the NPA.
This development validates the assurances given by the Managing Director/CEO Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko during the signing of the Presidential / Ministerial Performance Bond in December 2023.
“The Authority under my watch is poised to provide the leadership and technical guidance required to maximize the potentials inherent in our marine and blue economy,” Koko was quoted as saying.
Responding to the milestone achievement on Sunday, Koko commended the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for the consistent support and endorsement of the Authority’s initiatives and investments in employee upskilling and equipment renewal which made this milestone seamlessly achievable.
Before this time, the largest commercial vessels to sail on Nigerian waters were “MV Stadelhorn” and “MSC Maureen” at Onne Port and TinCan Island Port Complexes respectively.
“Thus, the berthing of a ship measuring 367 meters at Lekki Deep Seaport represents a quantum leap forward.”
The Lekki Deep Seaport has by this feat in addition to its pioneering of full automation and facilitation of transhipment proven its readiness to exceed stakeholders’ expectations.