APM Terminals' West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Port Harcourt in eastern Nigeria has started handling larger containerships after a visit by the 4,500-TEU Maersk Copenhagen.
The widening of the channel and removal of some wrecks in the Bonny Channel by the Nigerian Port Authority has made the port call possible. The gateway serves major markets in East Nigeria and the country's oil and gas industry.
The Onne visit was a trial stop for Maersk Line's weekly Far East-West Africa (FEW2) service, which is operated by 22 West Africa-Maximum (wafmax) sized geared vessels requiring a draft of 12.5 metres and quays able to accommodate 37.4-metre wide and 249-metre long ships.
They are the largest vessels that can be accommodated at West Africa's major container ports, reports Rotterdam's Dredging Today.
"We are very pleased with the arrival of the first 4,500-TEU vessel to the West Africa Container Terminal at Onne. We are investing US$30 million in the terminal to serve our customers more efficiently and safely, while installing the essential port infrastructure necessary for Nigeria's economic future," said APM Terminals Africa-Middle East chief Peder Sondergaard.
The investment reflects the company's overall West Africa port modernisation plan designed to serve the market's demographic growth and expanding middle class. According to a UN report, Nigeria's population is expected to grow to 440 million by 2050.
WACT has a capacity of 212,000 TEU, and will handle 210,000 TEU in 2013. Volumes at Onne have tripled in the past five years. The facility is located within the Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone that was established in 1996.
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