THE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the arrival of the largest container carrier to sail in Nigerian waters.
According to the Authority, the vessel, named ‘Maersk Edirne’, arrived at the Lekki Deep Seaport on January 21, 2024.
In a statement, the NPA stated that the vessel, measuring 367 metres in length, has a “breadth of 48.2 and carried a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 142,131 metric tonnes and a Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) of 147,340 metric tonnes, constituting 3,376 total cargo onboard.”
According to the statement, NPA pilots manoeuvred the vessel to safety.
Commenting on the milestone achievement, NPA Chief Mohammed Bello Koko thanked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, for his support and encouragement of the Authority’s initiatives and investments in personnel upskilling and equipment renewal.
“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 berthing of a ship of 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 transhippment proven its readiness to exceed stakeholders’ expectations,” the NPA stated.
