Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria – The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at Onne Port Complex is celebrating a milestone with the arrival of the ‘Kota Cempaka,’ a Singaporean vessel carrying 566 containers. This marks a significant step for the port’s ability to handle larger ships.
The ‘Kota Cempaka’ stretches 300 meters in length, showcasing Onne Port’s upgraded infrastructure to accommodate bigger vessels. The NPA considers this a direct result of their investments in maintaining channel navigability and improving port security.
NPA Managing Director Mohammed Bello-KoKo expressed optimism, stating, “This is a confirmation of the capacity and readiness of eastern ports for vessel traffic. It also shows that our investments in channel navigability and security are yielding results. We will sustain our advocacy for the patronage of the eastern ports.”
This development follows the recent arrival of other large vessels at Onne Port, including the Maersk Stadelhorn (300 meters) and MV Lady Jane (295 meters). This trend indicates a growing capacity for handling larger cargo ships.
While not the largest to dock in Nigeria (that title belongs to the Maerskline Stardelhorn at 300 meters long and 48 meters wide in August 2020), the ‘Kota Cempaka’ signifies a positive step for Onne Port.
Situated on the Bonny River Estuary, Onne Port Complex is the first in Nigeria to operate under a landlord model, encouraging private sector participation in the port industry. The success of this model could pave the way for future port development strategies nationwide.
