The Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) has achieved a significant milestone in its history by berthing its largest vessel, the Kota Carum, a mega container vessel measuring 301.43 meters in length overall.
The vessel, owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), one of Asia’s leading shipping companies, arrived at the OMT jetty on April 16, 2025, and was safely berthed within 20 minutes.
The Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, praised the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, for his leadership and support in creating an enabling environment for OMT to thrive.
Stewart described the vessel call as a landmark event not only for the terminal but for Nigeria’s maritime industry at large.
“We have an excellent working relationship with the Onne Port Manager, Abdulrahmon Hussain, and the entire team at the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The leadership of the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has been instrumental in our success. Allowing a vessel of this magnitude to berth at our terminal is a vote of confidence in our capabilities,” Stewart said.
Stewart called on the Federal Government to allocate more funding for channel dredging at the Onne Port to accommodate even larger vessels and further boost trade volumes.
“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But for us to unlock the full potential of Onne Port, additional dredging is essential. We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels,” Stewart said.
Stewart emphasized the economic advantages of hosting large vessels at Nigerian ports, explaining that direct calls by larger ships eliminate the need for transshipment via smaller feeder vessels, cutting down logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.
“This is not just a win for OMT; it’s a win for the Nigerian economy. The ability to berth larger vessels means more direct cargo movement, reduced logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country.
“Freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transshipment,” he said.
The Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, reaffirmed NPA’s technical readiness to handle large vessels.
“At the Nigerian Ports Authority, we are fully equipped—both in training and technology—to safely pilot large vessels into our ports. The successful berthing of Kota Carum is evidence of our capacity and professionalism,” Ezra said.
The successful hosting of Kota Carum marks a significant leap forward for OMT and positions Onne Port as a viable gateway capable of accommodating global trade routes.
As more shipping lines look toward West Africa, OMT’s infrastructure, efficiency, and strategic location continue to attract increasing volumes of international maritime traffic.
The berthing of the Kota Carum is a testament to OMT’s growing prominence as a hub for large-scale maritime trade in West Africa.
The terminal’s ongoing modernization efforts, including the acquisition of additional state-of-the-art cranes, have significantly enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and reduced vessel turnaround time.
The successful berthing of the Kota Carum is a significant achievement for OMT and a testament to the terminal’s capabilities.
As the terminal continues to grow and expand its operations, it is expected to play an increasingly important role in Nigeria’s economic development and maritime trade.
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