Gilbert Ekugbe takes a cursory have a look at a few of the milestone achievements which Nigeria’s first deep sea port has recorded because it began business operations one yr in the past
Nigeria’s first automated deep-sea port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, in its one yr of economic operations, has had a number of multiplying results on the Nigerian economic system at massive. The port which was heralded as a game-changer was constructed to alleviate congestion points in present ports, enhance cargo dealing with effectivity, stimulate financial progress by producing income, improve GDP, and foster industrial improvement.
From its strategic location, and availability of contemporary services, to the experience and capability to deal with bigger vessels swiftly, the port is step by step fulfilling its objective: to present Nigeria a lifeline by wresting its neighboring nations for a much bigger share of the worldwide commerce by way of bigger vessels in addition to transshipment cargoes.
With a projected financial good thing about $361 billion over the subsequent 45 years and the creation of round 170,000 direct and oblique jobs, Lekki Deep Sea Port is poised to considerably impression Nigeria’s commerce relations with different nations by enhancing commerce quantity, enhancing port effectivity, and decreasing delays in cargo dealing with. In only one yr of operational effectivity, this contemporary deep-sea port has not solely attracted international funding but in addition positioned the nation as a regional hub for worldwide commerce. All of those wins have aligned Nigeria with world commerce networks and the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA).
Berthing first transshipment of cargoes
The primary transshipment vessel to name on the container terminal of Lekki Deep Sea Port, was the CMA CGM RIMBAUD. The service sailed from the Far East, by way of Shanghai, Singapore right down to Kribi, Cameroun, earlier than lastly arriving at Lekki Port. It is going to later depart for Cotonou, its ultimate vacation spot, on sixth July 2023. This landmark achievement represented a big milestone in Nigeria’s maritime history- a record-breaking occasion extensively recommended by stakeholders within the maritime sector as a transparent demonstration of Nigeria’s readiness to revolutionize Africa’s maritime sector.
Arrival of the most important vessel
Boasting a depth of 16.5 meters with the potential for additional dredging to 19.5meters, the arrival of the CMA CGM Rabelais in Might 2023, which was the most important vessel to berth after the graduation of economic operations on the port, attested to the port’s capability to deal with massive container vessels. The vessel, which has a 300m Size General (LOA) and the capability to hold a powerful 6570 Twenty-Foot Equal Items (TEUs), discharged and loaded an change of 200 TEUs at Lekki Port. The CMA CGM Rabelais set a brand new document for the port and, certainly, the Lagos Pilotage District, as being the most important vessel in ship dimensions to berth within the district, second solely to the most important FPSO on this planet, Complete’s Egina FPSO. The milestone marked the port’s readiness to turn out to be a significant hub for world commerce and logistics.
This feat was quickly overtaken by the arrival of a number of 14,000 TEU vessels notably the CMA CGM SCANDOLA, an LNG-powered 14 812 TEUs container vessel, the primary LNG-powered container vessel to sail to West Africa. The CMA CGM SCANDOLA with an general size (LOA) of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters was obtained amidst pomp and pageantry at Lekki Deep Sea Port the place stakeholders of Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal, and CMA CGM, together with high authorities functionaries, captains of industries, and the media witnessed its arrival.
At that second, it was clear that Lekki Port’s place as a key participant within the world maritime market was already being cemented. It is because the arrival of CMA CGM SCANDOLA, which is a part of the CMA CGM West Africa Categorical (WAX) service direct from China to Lekki Port, represents a powerful leap within the effectivity and capability of maritime transport in Nigeria.
Whereas alluding to the monumental achievement, the Chairman of Lekki Port, Biodun Dabiri mentioned, “This marks a significant step in driving financial progress, seamless motion of products, fostering worldwide commerce, and strengthening Lekki Port’s place as a key participant within the world market.”
Echoing the identical place, the Chief Government Officer, Lekki Port, Du Ruogang mentioned the arrival of the WAX service bolstered sufficient confidence that Lekki Port will play a significant position within the Nigerian maritime sector.
Deployment of scanners
To enhance the inspection course of for items coming into or leaving the ports, aiding customs operations, and making certain compliance with rules, the Port commissioned a state-of-the-art scanning facility, also referred to as the Non-Intrusive Inspections System to fast-track the examination and evacuation of containers from the port. The world-class facility was commissioned by the erstwhile Customs Space Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Zone Command, Comptroller Dorothy Omogbehin, on August 30, 2023. The target was to considerably optimize the inspection course of and improve cargo turnaround time on the port.
Lekki Port ensured that the customs personnel to hold out the scanning had been skilled with the requisite abilities to function the state-of-the-art facility.
Since set up, the scanners have enhanced the benefit of doing enterprise, facilitated commerce, prevented port congestion, boosted income era for the federal government, and improved nationwide safety.
Decreased cargo turnaround time
To maneuver massive ships by both towing or pushing them, aiding in docking, undocking, and navigating by way of slender or congested waterways, Lekki Port took supply of two 80-ton Bollard Pull tug boats christened M.T MAIKOKO and M.T DA-OPUKORO, from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) regulator of port operations in Nigeria. This maritime infrastructure, in accordance with the regulator, would assist improve effectivity and cut back cargo turnaround time on the Port.
The neoteric tug boats, that are the primary of the 2813 Azimuth Stern Drive fashions to be obtainable in Africa, with the maneuverability of 360 levels, are poised to reinforce the maneuvering of enormous capability vessels of 300 metres LOA and above.
These services are thought of important to Lekki Port for the sleek berthing of enormous vessels as these would help the motion of vessels from the method channel to the marina wall and in addition depart from the port. The tug boats have been vital components of marine companies on the port.
Authorities’s commendation
The port continues to marvel stakeholders, companions, and staff alike for its state-of-the-art services and environment friendly service supply which has strengthened connectivity, elevated commerce competitiveness and fostered financial progress. Throughout his first official go to to the port in September 2023, the pioneer Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Financial system, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, after inspecting the best-in-class services and trendy gear suggested the administration to entrench a tradition of upkeep that may preserve the gear and services in good working order for years to return.
On his half, the Government Governor, of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, recommended the administration of Lekki Port, for elevating the bar within the Nigerian maritime business for the reason that official commissioning of the port in January 2023 stating “As a responsive authorities and shareholder of this port, we’re very pleased with the achievement of Lekki Port since its inauguration a yr in the past. This port and the complete Lekki financial zone maintain the important thing to the financial prosperity of our state and our nation as a complete”.
During the last 12 months, a complete of 77 vessels, 100,000 containers and 22, 447 transshipments have been obtained. These statistics have additional positioned Lekki Port as the usual bearer for port operations in West Africa.