1st Vessel Berths at Calabar Seaport in 13 Years

• 1st Vessel Berths at Calabar Seaport in 13 Years

Calabar Port Complex received its first container vessel thirteen years after it was concessioned.

Marguisa Shipping Line’s container vessel, MV Boreas, berthed on Monday at ECM Terminals around 13.27hrs. The 116.23 long vessel was built in 2007 with a gross tonnage of 6569 and net tonnage of 2874.

The port has suffered patronage due to its 6.4 meters draft, however, the recent efforts by Ecomarine Terminals Limited to market the port has started yielding result despite the delay in expanding its draft to 9.4 meters by the Nigeria Ports Authority.

Diran Akorede, the general manager, ECM, said: “The berthing of the container vessel at our facility on Monday was the crowning moment of the several marketing efforts to attract a liner service to Calabar over the years.”

“In October last year, we had preliminary discussion with Marguisa representative on possibility of commencing calls to Calabar. To make the call viable to Marguisa, we made several concessions on rates and co-opted other stakeholders into the efforts followed with road shows to sensitise potential clients. The maiden call of the vessel was the outcome of such efforts spearheaded by Ecomarine in conjunction with Marguisa.”

According to Akorede, the terminal has invested a lot in container handling equipment from inception of the port, saying even though it has been idle ever since it would aid the port efficiency going forward.

“We are ISO certified and have well-documented processes to ensure transparency and efficiency in our service delivery,” he said. “Our systems are fully automated and the facility is fully ISPS compliant. We also have paved stacking area that has remained unutilised over the years. For us, we have been prepared from the inception and therefore handled the discharge operations in the best professional manner.

“As a port, our pact with Marguisa is to provide and ensure efficient service delivery, quick turnaround for their vessel and incentive scheme to support their voyage profitability.”