Dignitaries including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),Managing Director Mohammed Bello Koko, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Bashir Jamoh received the MV Great Lagos – the largest container-RORO ship to dock in Nigeria and the West African sub-region on Monday
The Grimaldi Group-owned vessel made its inaugural call at Nigeria’s largest multipurpose roll-on-roll-off (RORO) terminal, Port Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML), located at the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Grimaldi Group for investing in Lagos and expressed confidence in the international community’s support for Nigeria.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola praised the successful berthing of the vessel, attributing it to the dedication of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and PTML in enhancing port efficiency.
At the reception, PTML Managing Director Ascanio Russo highlighted MV Great Lagos as a marvel of modern engineering with environmental consciousness, boasting impressive dimensions and substantial freight capacity. Russo emphasized the vessel’s significance, being the second in the G5-class of ships recently launched by the Grimaldi Group and named after Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Russo noted the Grimaldi Group’s longstanding contribution to Nigeria’s trade and maritime relations, highlighting the “Great Lagos” as not just an addition to their fleet but a commitment to the Nigerian economy. He emphasized the vessel’s environmental impact, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 43% per tonne transported, setting new industry standards for sustainable maritime transport.
Acknowledging the infrastructural efforts, Russo expressed gratitude to the Nigerian authorities, including the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NPA, NIMASA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and Nigeria Customs.
Other speakers, including NIMASA Director-General Bashir Jamoh, NSC Executive Secretary Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Italian Ambassador Stefano De Leo, and MWUN President-General Adewale Adeyanju, praised the Grimaldi Group and PTML for their significant investment and vessel deployment at the port.
