CMA-CGM RABELAIS, arriving Nigeria.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, has said that the improved vessel dwell time at Lekki Port was in fulfilment of the authority’s promise to deliver on high turnaround time of vessels and low cargo dwell time through improved efficiency at the nation’s seaports.

Recall that the Lekki  Port had last Friday, May 19, 2023 berthed a 300- meter length Over All (LOA) vessel and released the carrier same day.  The vessel christened CMA-CGM RABELAIS, has an impressive capacity of 6570 Twenty Equivalent Units TEUs will be discharging and loading cargo. The vessel sailed from Shanghai, China and called at the Lekki Seaport.

*Bello-Koko

The NPA MD Bello-Koko speaking against the backdrop of the Lekki port berthing a commercial vessel and as well releasing it on same day, said the authority will further improve on this milestone.

“The fact that this vessel is departing the country on same day it berthed is a fulfillment of our promise to deliver on high turnaround time of vessels and speedy cargo dwell time through improved efficiencies, and state of the art machinery and I am delighted to assure that we are committed to continuously improving on this milestone”, obviously elated Bello-Koko said.

Meanwhile, Assistant Harbour Master for Lekki Port, Captain Monday Gajere, while speaking on the feat, said the marine equipment procured by the authority set the pace for seamless berthing of the vessel.

He said: “The thorough navigation risk assessment involving Pilots, Tugs and Mooring gangs set the pace for seamless berthing of the large cargo carrier is a demonstration of the NPA’s talent-readiness to maximise the competitive advantages that Lekki Port deep draught and state-of-the-art equipment offers as Nigeria advances towards attaining Port hub status.”