Lekki deep seaport receives largest container vessel

• In June 2023, the deep seaport management announced the arrival of Rimbaud, the first transshipment vessel at the container terminal, carrying cargo from major container shipping lines, CMA CGM and Maersk
  

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On Sunday, the Nigerian Ports Authority reported that the Lekki Deep Seaport welcomed the largest container vessel to navigate Nigerian territorial waters.

The vessel, named ‘Maersk Edirne,’ boasts a length of 367m, a breadth of 48.2, and a gross registered tonnage of 142,131 metric tonnes, according to Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of NPA.

In June 2023, the deep seaport management announced the arrival of Rimbaud, the first transshipment vessel at the container terminal, carrying cargo from major container shipping lines, CMA CGM and Maersk.

However speaking on the recent carrier, Bello-Koko said, “The new vessel had a dead weight tonnage of 147,340 metric tonnes, constituting 3,376 total cargo onboard. The vessel was navigated by the highly experienced and thoroughly equipped pilots of the NPA,”

He said the development validated the assurance given by the agency, during the signing of the presidential/ministerial performance bond in December 2023 that, “the authority under my watch is poised to provide the leadership and technical guidance required to maximise the potentials inherent in our marine and blue economy,”

The NPA boss commended the 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,”

He added, “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 berth 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 transshipment proven its readiness to exceed stakeholders’ expectations.”