PTML terminal, which is owned by Grimaldi Shipping at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos has said that no cargo destined for Lagos was onboard one of its vessels; the ill-fated MV Grande America which sank in Bay of Biscay, France on Tuesday.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily on Wednesday, General Manager of the terminal; Mr. Tunde Keshinro assured that its customers have nothing to fear, as the ill-fated vessel was not destined for Nigeria when it sank.
"It was on a different service that does not concern Nigeria" he said.
Earlier, clearing agents at the terminal who spoke with our correspondent were apprehensive, even as one of them, Public Relations officer of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) said the agents were going into meeting with PTML Terminal on the matter.
France’s Marine Nationale had reported that the ship sank on March 12, at 1526 local time about 180 nautical miles off France’s coast.
The situation on board the Grimaldi Lines combination roll-on/roll-off containership Grande America worsened overnight in the Bay of Biscay as the fire continues to burn and the ship now listing fairly significantly to starboard.
About 10 containers fell into the water near the ship overnight, officials said.
Prior to its sinking, the Grande America had drifted slowly to the east and was located about 200 nautical miles (350 kilometers ) off the coast of France as of Tuesday.
Grimaldi Lines had contracted the marine salvage company Ardent, which had contracted two tugs to respond to the incident: the Union Lynx from Vigo, Spain and Tera Sea Hawk from Rotterdam. The tugs are expected to arrive on scene Tuesday night and Wednesday, respectively.
Officials said Tuesday that a sharp deterioration of weather conditions is expected in the area over the next 48 hours which will limit salvage operations.
French authorities reported winds 30-35 knots, gusting to 50 knots, with seas of 4 to 5 meters.
The fire on board the Italian-flagged Grande America broke out Sunday night as the ship was underway in the Bay of Biscay during a voyage from Hamburg, Germany to Casablanca, Morocco. The fire is primarily located in cargo containers in the forward portion of the ship.
All 27 crew members abandoned ship in a lifeboat and later rescued by British frigate HMS Argyll and brought ashore in Brest.
No major injuries were reported, although several of the crew members were treated for smoke inhalation
