Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), run by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) in Nigeria, welcomed the KOTA CEMPAKA, the biggest container ship to ever conduct full operations in Eastern Nigeria.
The 300-meter, 6,660-TEU capacity vessel, operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), loaded and unloaded a total of 2,000 TEUs during its visit to OMT.
PIL intends to regularly deploy similar-sized ships in the area, a move welcomed by both OMT and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
OMT managing director Jacob Gulmann highlighted the terminal’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, along with the 750-meter deep-water berths in a ceremony commemorating the vessel’s arrival. The terminal has two mobile harbor cranes with Navis and SAP powering its operations.
“We are proud of this latest achievement, which is a testament to the company’s rapid growth as a major container terminal operator in Nigeria,” Gulmann said.
“Commencing operations in 2021, OMT has contributed to reducing vessel waiting times in Onne Port while doubling container capacity and enhancing competition for the benefit of all customers,” he said.
OMT chief operations officer James Stewart commended PIL for its decision to utilize large vessels in Eastern Nigeria.
“We are proud that PIL trusts OMT with handling its large vessels in Onne. The arrival of such large vessels is part of a global trend where shipping lines are upscaling vessels sizes to achieve economies of scale. OMT is working closely with the NPA to ensure we are ready for this trend,” he said.
“We appreciate the NPA’s effort to ensure the depth is 12 meters at the port, which is crucial to allowing large vessels to call the Onne Port,” Stewart said.
OMT is the first terminal of call at the Onne Port Complex in Onne’s oil and gas free zone.
Handling containerized, oil and gas and other cargo types, OMT serves as an efficient gateway to Africa’s largest oil production region and Nigeria’s major hinterland markets.
