The Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos, has received the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessel to visit any Nigerian seaports.
The vessel operated by French shipping giant CMA/CGM, named MV SCANDOLA, was received by the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu, berthed at the $1.5billion first deep seaport in Nigeria by 1600 hours, yesterday.
Other dignitaries that received the vessel are, the managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko; the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Ukeyima Akutah, represented by director, Monitoring and Compliance, Cajetan Agu; the President Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, represented by Dr Adenike Fajemirokun; the Chairperson, Seaports Terminal Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup; President General, Marítime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Adewale Adeyanju, among others.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State governor, disclosed that the accomplishment of Lekki Port in welcoming the largest LNG-powered container vessel; CMA CGM SCANDOLA, within just one year of its operation has enshrined Nigeria as significant players in global port transactions.
The governor who emphasised the transformative role of Lekki Port said the berthing of the vessel put Lagos and Nigeria on the map of global port transactions.
The governor further said that the vision for the state extended beyond the current achievement, envisioning Lagos as a pivotal hub, not only for West Africa but for Central Africa and potentially Southern Africa in the realm of logistics and container terminals.
The governor also expressed the determination to make Lagos the safest part of sub-Saharan Africa, fostering an environment where businesses thrive and investments are secured.
“I think it’s a big feat. It’s something that we really need to roll out drums and get proud of because what that is about is, indeed, we’re putting Lekki Freeport, Lagos, Nigeria into the world’s global logistics marine business.
“This is a business that has been a privilege to a few developed countries in America, Europe, Far East and some parts of Africa as well. But now, given the size of the business, they can come to our community,
“The Lekki Freeport and the Lekki Port itself, has put and enshrined our name as one of the big movers of port transactions in the world”, he stated.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, commended Lekki Deep Seaport’s eco-friendly measures.
Oyetola who was represented by NPA MD, was elated with the port for aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon intensity in international shipping.
He further commended Lekki Deep Seaport for not only being Nigeria’s first Deep Seaport, but also the first fully- automated port, aligning with international standards.
The minister stressed the imperative of making ports eco-friendly to comply with international regulations, pointing out Nigeria’s commitment to minimising air pollution by transitioning to LNG.
“The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is convinced that shipping has a pivotal role to play in global decarbonisation efforts, this is why I will like to seize this moment to commend the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s compliance with the Ministerial directive to take cognisance of global energy transition in its port modernisation project by deliberately factoring in measures that promote energy efficiency.
Apart from its distinctive feature of eco-friendliness, “SCANDOLA” ranks amongst the largest container ships to be called in West Africa with 15,000 TEUs. Lekki Deep Seaport’s natural depth of 16 meters added to its multifaceted efficiencies, state-of-the-art equipment and robust infrastructure which offers a capacity of up to 1.2 million TEUs in this phase 1 positions the Port to serve as a mega transshipment hub,to Nigeria’s neighbouring countries in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
“With shipping volumes promising to get higher, forward looking investments such as the one we are gathered here to celebrate will certainly have a big impact in the long run. The imperative of making our Ports eco-friendly is no fluke. We will continue to support the NPA in its efforts at ensuring stakeholders’ compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sulphur Regulation on Nigerian Waterways.”
Also speaking, the managing director of Lekki Deep Seaport, Du Rougang, said that the berthing of the vessel is creating a new plan for Nigeria’s ports.
“We want to ensure that Lekki Port plays a major role in the nation’s maritime industry, ” he said.
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