Biggest container ship ever to come to Nigeria berths in Onne (Photos)

Biggest container ship Maerskline Stardelhorn vessel in Onne Port Port Harcourt on Saturday

By Abankula

The Nigerian Ports Authority on Saturday announced the successful berthing in Onne Port, Rivers state, of the biggest container ship to ever call at any Nigerian port.

The Maerskline Stardelhorn vessel with Length overall of 300 metres, width of 48 metres was received at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), at 1620 hours.

It has a capacity of 9,971(TEUs) and is a flagship from Singapore.

According to some reports, the ship was diverted to Port Harcourt to decongest the Lagos ports.

NPA officials at Federal Ocean terminal in Onne Port to welcome the big vessel

camera men with the Maerskline Stardelhorn vessel in Onne

Maerskline Stardelhorn vessel ready to berth in Onne

Mr Adams Jatto, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, said the vessel, was brought in from Fairway Bouy Bonny, with the aid of three Tugboats.

It was operated by three of NPA’s pilots and was received by the Manager of the Onne Ports, Mr Alhasssan Abubakar.

“NPA is delighted to state that the landmark arrival of the biggest gearless Maerskline vessel at Onne Ports is a result of management’s determination to improve the patronage of the Eastern Ports.

“It is an indication of the fact that the Eastern Ports are equipped to receive all manners of vessels and an expansion of the options of consignees in the eastern and northern parts of the country.

“The management of the NPA congratulates its team at Onne Ports.

“Management also appreciates all stakeholders at the Onne Ports for their cooperation toward seeing that the vessel berthed safely without any challenge.”

Jatto assured that the NPA was committed to ensuring that all ports in Nigeria worked optimally with Nigeria being the economic hub of the West African sub-region.

*Updated at 14:30 on Sunday 16 August