By Anthony Nwachukwu
Preparatory to the historic visit of the largest Container-RORO (CONRO) ever in the sub-region, Nigeria and West Africa’s largest multi-purpose roll-on roll-off (RORO) terminal, the Port Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML), said it has invested over $20 million in facility upgrade so far.
PTML is set to receive CONRO on November 27, 2023, and to make that a seamless experience, the Managing Director, Mr. Ascanio Russo, disclosed that the terminal operator has invested over $20 million to extend its Berth 11, equipping it with deeper berths, expanded storage areas, and acquired state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment.
Named MV GREAT LAGOS, the new, ultramodern mega CONRO ship, which is owned by the Grimaldi Group and launched earlier in April, is 250 metres in length, with a 38-metre beam and deadweight of over 45,000 tonnes.
The vessel, a marvel of modern engineering and environmental consciousness, has the capacity to transport 4.7 kilometres of rolling freight, 2,500 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs) and 2,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
MV GREAT LAGOS is the second of Grimaldi Group’s recently launched G5-class ships and is named after Nigeria’s commercial capital, which the terminal operator has served for decades. According to Russo, “the vessel sets a new benchmark in the shipping industry.”
Russo commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its support towards receiving the vessel, stating: “The arrival of GREAT LAGOS at PTML is not just a routine port call, it is a testament to the terminal’s cutting-edge facilities and its readiness to handle the new generation of mega-vessels.
“Its arrival at the Lagos port is a testament to the port’s capability to handle vessels of such magnitude, further positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global shipping industry.
