Onne Port Sets New Standard with Successful Berthing of Mega Ship.
By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State etched another milestone into Nigeria’s maritime history on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with the successful berthing of the Kota Carum, the largest vessel ever to dock at the Onne Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT).
Flying the Singaporean flag and owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), one of Asia’s leading shipping giants, the colossal container vessel measuring 301.43 metres in length overall arrived at the OMT jetty at 10:30 hours and was berthed by 10:50 hours, spanning berths 9 and 10.
Boasting a carrying capacity of 6,606 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), the Kota Carum is a game-changer for Onne Port. During its 55-hour stay, the vessel is expected to discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619, comprising both export cargo and empty containers.
Welcoming the vessel, Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, hailed the arrival as a landmark for the terminal and a major boost for Nigeria’s growing maritime economy.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne. Following the arrival of the Kota Cempaka last year, this achievement reflects our growth, strategic investments, and operational excellence,” Stewart said.
He pointed to OMT’s ongoing modernization—including the acquisition of cutting-edge cranes—as key drivers behind the terminal’s improved cargo-handling efficiency and faster vessel turnaround times.
Stewart stressed that hosting mega vessels like the Kota Carum carries major economic benefits. By enabling direct calls from large ships, Nigerian importers and exporters can now bypass costly transshipment hubs, slashing logistics costs and cutting freight tariffs.
“This is not just a win for OMT—it’s a win for the Nigerian economy. Freight forwarders, importers, and exporters will all benefit from lower costs and greater efficiency,” he emphasized.
Stewart praised the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its critical support, citing strong collaboration with the Port Manager, Abdulrahmon Hussain, and the leadership of NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
“Allowing a vessel of this magnitude to berth at our terminal is a major vote of confidence in our capabilities,” he noted.
However, Stewart called on the Federal Government to urgently increase funding for dredging activities at Onne Port, warning that deeper channels are crucial to unlock the port’s full potential for larger vessels.
“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But without further dredging, we risk missing out on bigger opportunities,” he appealed.
The Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, also commended the successful berthing, affirming NPA’s technical readiness and professionalism.
“At the Nigerian Ports Authority, we are fully equipped—both in training and technology—to handle large vessels. The successful berthing of Kota Carum is proof of our capacity,” Ezra said.
The arrival of Kota Carum cements Onne Port’s status as a major gateway for international maritime trade, reinforcing OMT’s growing role in linking Nigeria and West Africa to the global shipping network.
As more global carriers set their sights on West Africa, the successful handling of mega vessels at Onne signals a new era of maritime strength for Nigeria.
