Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in Nigeria, recently handled Kota Cempaka, the largest container vessel in Eastern Nigeria.
Operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), the 300-meter vessel with a capacity of 6,660 TEUs loaded and unloaded a total of 2,000 TEUs during its stop at OMT. PIL intends to regularly deploy vessels of similar size to the region, a development welcomed by both OMT and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
During a ceremony marking the vessel’s arrival, Jacob Gulmann, OMT managing director, emphasized the terminal’s advanced facilities and equipment, including its 750-meter deep-water berths. The terminal is equipped with two mobile harbor cranes and utilizes Navis and SAP systems for its operations.
“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,” pointed out Gulmann.
James Stewart, OMT chief operations officer, commended PIL for its 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.
