In a groundbreaking event for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the largest container vessel to ever dock at the Tin-Can Island Port Complex and the pilotage districts in Apapa, Lagos was welcomed yesterday.
The MSC Maureen, with a Length Overall (LOA) of 300M and breadth of 40m carrying a Gross Tonnage of 75,590 Dead weight of 85,810Tonnes, arrived to great fanfare and celebration.
The Port Manager of the TinCan Island Port Complex, Jibril Buba, hailed the moment as a testament to the readiness of the port to receive vessels, even amid the ongoing rehabilitation efforts being undertaken by the NPA under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
The assistant harbor master, Tin-Can, Captain Simpa Habib, praised the historic nature of the event, noting that the MSC Maureen was the largest ever commercial carrier to call at the Lagos Pilotage district. He clarified that the previous record holder was the EGINA, which was a Floating Production and Storage unit for Oil and Gas operations.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, had previously announced that the Authority was taking steps to secure approvals for the reconstruction of TinCan and rehabilitation of infrastructure across all Port locations in readiness for increased port competitiveness. The efforts are geared towards positioning Nigerian Ports to service the cargo needs of landlocked neighboring countries through transshipment.
The arrival of the MSC Maureen represents a significant milestone for the Nigerian economy, as it further boosts the country’s international trade and enhances its position as a hub for global commerce. The Nigerian Ports Authority is committed to providing world-class port services to its customers and ensuring the efficient and effective management of Nigerian ports.
The historic arrival of the MSC Maureen is a positive development for the Nigerian economy, and the NPA’s ongoing efforts to enhance port competitiveness and meet the cargo needs of neighboring countries will only serve to further bolster the country’s status as a leader in global trade.