From left: Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, John Jenkins, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group; Adekunle Abdulrasaq Oyinloye, Assistant General Manager, Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, representing the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, and the President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, during the commissioning of new equipment recently acquired by Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, the flagship company of SIFAX Group which was held at terminal, Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos on Monday

As part of efforts to position itself as a first-choice terminal for importers, exporters and other shipping services in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, the flagship company of the SIFAX Group, has acquired some new equipment worth over $20million.

The newly acquired equipment comprise five shore cranes, nine Reach Stackers, 10 terminal tractors, five Nissan pickup vehicles, four trailer backs and other machineries.

Group Managing Director of the SIFAX Group, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, while speaking at the official commissioning of the new equipment in Lagos Monday, , hinted that the acquisition was part of the company’s strategic investment to deliver quality service to its clientele and to further attract more patronage.

He noted that the acquisition of the new equipment, which are in line with its long term investment schedule, was a demonstration of the company’s commitment to the concession agreement it signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the nation’s economy as a whole.

“With our new internal restructuring project code named Quantuam Leap, SIFAX Group is repositioning itself to become the first choice terminal not just in Nigeria but in West Africa. We have also set a target that will increase our revenue with over 300 per cent in five years. One of the ways, we can achieve our set targets is to first begin with investment in equipment which will complement our excellent personnel asset. These new equipment are the best and latest in town, they will catapult us into the next level growth we are working towards”, he noted.

Some of the newly acquired shore cranes

While welcoming the guests, Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr. John Jenkins, said there was a need to acquire the latest equipment in order to meet the architecture requirements of modern ship calling the terminal.

He noted further the company was already engaging several shipping lines in order to boost the company’s clientele base.

In her remarks, Aisha Ali Ibrahim, Assistant General Manager, Operations, who represented Hadiza Bala-Usman, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, expressed delight at the new acquisition, adding that it was a thing of joy that  an indigenous company, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, is competing favourably with foreign multinationals in the maritime sector in terms of investment, manpower and quality of service delivery

Andrew Lynch, Managing Director, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Nigeria, one of the world’s foremost shipping lines also congratulated Ports & Cargo on the acquisition of these equipment. Lynch explained that the partnership between Ports & Cargo and MSC will be better forged with the acquisition of these equipment. He said: “Ports & Cargo and MSC have both forged an alliance which has been one of the best partnerships in the maritime sector. We are excited that these new equipment will enhance the discharge of more cargo volumes at the terminal”.

Meanwhile, Sales Manager, Africa, for Lierherr Group, Norman Herzberg, while speaking at the event, said his company is delighted to be the partner in the supply of some of these equipment. He noted that the newly-acquired mobile shore cranes LHM 500 are the latest technologies with wider reach into the vessels and can discharge faster effectively and efficiently