Leading global provider of shipping services; Maersk Line has reaffirmed that it will deploy new and deeper draught vessels to Nigeria starting from early next year.
The cheering news was broken last week when a delegation from the company led by the Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria, Mr. David Skov visited the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), Abdul Salam Mohammed. The delegation disclosed that Maersk Line has 22 vessels under construction and that all of them would be dedicated to the West Africa sub-region and that one of the vessels would soon be commissioned to commence operation early next year.
Skov explained that the vessels would be biggest ships to call at the shores of Nigeria and requires a draught of 13.5 meters, adding that Nigeria is planned to be a major destination of these vessels.
He commended the NPA for the efforts it had made to facilitate navigation on the Lagos channel with the commencement of the removal of critical wrecks and practical commitment to regular maintenance dredging.
And apparently happy with the development, the Managing Director, NPA said that the planned deployment of bigger draught vessels is in recognition of the steady progress that NPA is making in improving the adequacies of its channels and marine services in general.
When the arrangement comes into fruition, Apapa Port would serve as the first Port of direct call for Maersk Line vessels for the West and Central African sub-region. This would not only boost the revenue of NPA, it will also be a great pride to Nigeria.
Abdul Salam reiterated that the Federal Government and NPA are committed to providing the Shipping Company with what it requires to ensure the successful take off of the arrangement considering the positive effects it would be on the nation’s economy and maritime activity.
“I can assure you that we will work with you on this. We will give you all the assistance you require to make sure that the services we will render to you are done in an efficient manner and at least cost”, he told the delegation.
The Managing director who lamented that the country has lost a lot in the maritime activities of the sub-region, because its ports have been feeder ports instead of hubs for the sub-region despite the comparative advantages of the nation’s economy and maritime trade.
Stressing that the agency was now positioned to reverse the situation, Abdul Salam emphasized that with the improved services and adequate channel capacity, the country has, “reached a point to take its rightful position”, in maritime activities of the sub-region.
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