The Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State has reached a significant milestone with the successful berthing of Kota Carum, a mega container vessel boasting a capacity of 6,606 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The vessel, operated by Pacific International Lines under the Singaporean flag, is now the largest ever to dock at the Onne Federal Ocean Terminal.
In a statement released Monday, OMT hailed the arrival of the Kota Carum as a testament to the terminal’s rising stature as a critical hub for high-volume maritime trade in West Africa.
Spanning 301.43 meters in overall length, the vessel berthed at Onne’s berths 9 and 10, where it is scheduled to spend 55 hours discharging 1,250 containers and loading 1,619, including exports and empty units.
At a reception held to welcome the vessel, Jim Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of OMT, described the event as a landmark achievement not just for the terminal, but for Nigeria’s entire maritime industry.
“We are honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne,” Stewart said. “Following the arrival of Kota Cempaka last year, this milestone highlights our sustained growth, targeted infrastructure investments, and dedication to world-class operational standards.”
Stewart credited the terminal’s recent upgrades including advanced cargo-handling cranes and other logistics enhancements for improving turnaround time and boosting efficiency.
He stressed that accommodating larger vessels brings considerable economic advantages, such as eliminating the need for transhipment through smaller feeder ships. This translates to lower logistics costs and freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.
“This is not just a win for OMT; it’s a win for the Nigerian economy. Larger vessels calling directly at our ports mean streamlined cargo movement, lower costs, and more revenue for the country. It also supports freight forwarders by avoiding additional transhipment charges,” he added.
The COO also extended gratitude to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its support and called on the Federal Government to allocate additional resources for channel dredging at Onne Port to accommodate even larger vessels in the future.
“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any global shipping line. But to unlock Onne Port’s full potential, deeper and wider channels are essential. We urge the government to support NPA’s dredging initiatives,” Stewart appealed.
Also speaking at the reception, Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Captain Yakubu Ezra, reaffirmed NPA’s operational readiness and expertise in handling mega vessels.
“At the NPA, we are fully equipped both in training and technology to safely pilot large ships into our ports. The successful berthing of Kota Carum is a strong affirmation of our capability,” Ezra said.
The arrival of Kota Carum signals a bold leap forward for OMT and positions Onne Port as a key player in the global shipping landscape. With its upgraded infrastructure, strategic location, and growing capacity, the terminal is well-poised to capture a larger share of international maritime traffic into West Africa.
