The arrival of Nigeria’s two largest mobile harbor cranes at the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State has sparked excitement within the maritime sector. The cranes, imported from Germany, mark a $25 million investment by OMT, a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
The newly commissioned cranes, stationed at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), boast a container handling capacity of 25 TEUs per hour with an outreach of 20 containers across. Their deployment sets a new operational standard, enabling Nigeria’s ports to accommodate larger vessels and enhance cargo throughput.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by Onne Port Manager Abdulrahman Hussain, commended OMT for its substantial investment.
“This is a big victory for the company, the NPA, and the Nigerian economy. The new cranes will drive increased business, revenue, and investment,” he stated.
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OMT Managing Director Jacob Gulmann described the investment as transformative. “These cranes are the largest in any Nigerian port and will enable larger vessels from our shipping partners, MSC and PIL, to dock at Onne,” he said, emphasizing OMT’s role in Nigeria’s maritime development.
He further acknowledged the supportive roles played by government agencies, Customs, shipping lines, and importers in ensuring seamless port operations.
Prominent stakeholders, including representatives from the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), and Pacific International Lines (PIL), hailed the investment as a critical step toward reducing vessel turnaround time and boosting economic growth.
C. C. Nwokorie, representing Customs Area II Controller Mohammed Babandede, lauded OMT for its proactive investments, stressing that the move benefits all Nigerians.
In addition to the cranes, OMT unveiled a state-of-the-art container freight station designed to streamline import and export logistics. The commissioning ceremony concluded with the symbolic tape-cutting by NPA’s representative, marking a significant leap toward positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
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