The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recorded yet another milestone with the berthing at the Tin-Can Island Port Complex, the largest-ever container vessel to call at the Lagos Pilotage District.
The vessel named MSc Maureen with a Length Overall (LOA) of 300 meters and a breadth of 40 meters, had a Gross Tonnage of 75,590 Dead weight of 85,810 tons. It has the capacity to carry 15,000TEUs of containers.
Speaking at the quayside where the vessel was received, Jibril Buba, the port manager of the Tin-Can Island Port Complex, said the development is a testament to the readiness to receive vessels despite the pressing need for the rehabilitation in infrastructure at Tin-Can Port, which the management of the Authority is working assiduously on under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
Captain Simpa Habib, the assistant Harbour Master of Tin-Can Port, said that the distinguishing historic feature of MSC Maureen was the fact that it is the largest ever commercial carrier to call at the Lagos Pilotage district.
He said the EGINA that preceded it was a Floating Production and Storage unit for Oil and Gas operations.
Emmanuel Samaila, a pilot said it was a great achievement to bring a vessel with a length of 300 meters to Tin-Can Port, which is a double of the kind of vessels that usually call at the Port.
Andrew Lynch, the managing director of M.S.C Nigeria Limited, said the coming of the vessel would bring greater benefit to Lagos importers and exporters because it will make the port more competitive.
Recall that Mohammed Bello-Koko, the managing director Nigerian Ports Authority had said that the Authority was at the conclusive stages of securing approvals for the reconstruction of Tin-Can.
He said it also involves the rehabilitation of infrastructure across all Port locations in readiness for increased port competitiveness as the management team puts modalities in place to position Nigerian Ports to service the cargo needs of landlocked neighbouring countries through transshipment.
