Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in Nigeria, has successfully handled the KOTA CEMPAKA, the largest container vessel to conduct full operations in Eastern Nigeria.
The 300-meter, 6,660-TEU capacity ship, operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), loaded and discharged a total of 2,000 TEUs during its call at OMT. PIL plans to deploy similar-sized vessels in the region regularly, a development welcomed by both OMT and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
In a ceremony commemorating the vessel’s arrival, Jacob Gulmann, OMT managing director, praised the terminal’s state-of-the-art facilities, including 750-meter deep-water berths. The terminal is equipped with two mobile harbor cranes, with operations powered by Navis and SAP.
“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. 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,” explained Gulmann.
James Stewart, OMT’s chief operations officer, commended PIL’s 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 vessel sizes to achieve economies of scale. OMT is working closely with the NPA to ensure we are ready for this trend. 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,” said Stewart.
