- Officials of Onne Multipurpose Terminal and the Nigerian Ports Authority in front of MV Kota Carum – the largest vessel ever to call at Onne Port, during her berthing at the facility at Onne, Rivers State, recently
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State has made further history by successfully hosting the the largest vessel yet to berth at the Onne Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Kota Carum.
The milestone last Wednesday, April 16, further underscored OMT’s growing prominence as a hub for West Africa’s large-scale maritime trade.
The Singapore-flagged mega container vessel is owned by one of Asia’s leading shipping companies, Pacific International Lines (PIL).
Measuring an impressive 301.43 metres in length overall, the vessel arrived at the OMT jetty at 10:30 hours and was safely berthed by 10:50 hours, utilising berths 9 and 10.
Boasting a 6,606 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) capacity, Kota Carum is a major addition to the line of large vessels now calling Onne Port.
During its 55-hour port stay, the vessel will discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619 containers, including export-bound cargo and empty containers.
Speaking at a reception to welcome the vessel, OMT Chief Operating Officer, Jim Stewart, described the call as a landmark event not only for the terminal but for Nigeria’s maritime industry at large.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne,” he stated. “Following the arrival of the Kota Cempaka last year, this achievement reflects our continued growth, our strategic investments in terminal infrastructure, and our unwavering commitment to operational excellence.”
Stewart emphasised that OMT’s ongoing modernisation efforts, including the acquisition of additional state-of-the-art cranes, have significantly enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and reduced vessel turnaround time.
He further noted the economic advantages of hosting such large vessels at Nigerian ports, explaining that direct calls by larger ships eliminate the need for transshipment via smaller feeder vessels, cutting down logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.
Stewart said it was not just a win for OMT but for the Nigerian economy, adding that “the ability to berth larger vessels means more direct cargo movement, reduced logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country. Freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transshipment.”
Stewart further thanked the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as well as the Port Manager, Abdulrahmon Hussain, for its vital support in creating an enabling environment for OMT to thrive.
Meanwhile, he called on the Federal Government to allocate more funding for channel dredging at the Onne Port to accommodate even larger vessels and further boost trade volumes.
“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line, but for us to unlock the full potential of Onne Port, additional dredging is essential,” Stewart said. “We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels.”
On his part, the Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, said “the successful hosting of Kota Carum marked a significant leap forward for OMT and positions Onne Port as a viable gateway capable of accommodating global trade routes.
“As more shipping lines look toward West Africa, OMT’s infrastructure, efficiency and strategic location continue to attract increasing volumes of international maritime traffic.”
