The Nigerian Ports Authority says it has recorded yet another milestone with the berthing at the TinCan Island Port Complex of the largest-ever container vessel to call at the Lagos Pilotage District.
The vessel MSC Maureen which came in on Tuesday has a length overall (LOA) of 300m and a breadth of 40m, carrying a gross tonnage of 75,590 tons and a dead weight of 85,810 tons.
Speaking at the quayside where he received the vessel, the Port Manager of TinCan Island Port Complex, Mr. Jibril Buba, said the development is a testament to the readiness to receive vessels despite the pressing need for rehabilitation, which the Management of the Authority is working assiduously on under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
Also, Assistant Harbour Master TinCan, Captain Simpa Habib, clarified that the distinguishing historic feature of MSC Maureen was the fact that it was the largest ever commercial carrier to call at the Lagos Pilotage District, noting that the EGINA that preceded it was a floating production and storage unit for oil and gas operations.
It will be recalled that the Managing Director, Mohammed Bello, stated that the Authority was in the conclusive stages of securing approvals for the reconstruction of TinCan and rehabilitation of infrastructure across all port locations in readiness for increased port competitiveness as the management team puts modalities in place to position Nigerian ports to service the cargo needs of landlocked neighboring countries through transshipment.
