By Victoria Adonye Ibiama
Lekki Deep Seaport witnessed a momentous occasion over the weekend as it welcomed the arrival of the Maersk Edirne, the largest containership ever to visit Nigeria.
Sailing under the flag of Singapore, this 12-year-old vessel boasts an impressive carrying capacity of 13,092 TEU and currently maintains a reported draught of 12.3 meters, with an overall length (LOA) of 366 meters and a width of 48 meters.
The announcement of the ship’s berthing was made by Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on Sunday.
Bello-Koko revealed that the Maersk Edirne entered Nigerian waters carrying a total cargo of only 3,376 units, even as he size the opportunity to emphasize the significance of this development.
“This validates the assurances I gave during the signing of the presidential/ministerial performance bond in December 2023. The authority under my watch is poised to provide the leadership and technical guidance required to maximize the potentials inherent in our marine and blue economy,” the NPA boss said.
In a press statement issued by the agency, Bello-Koko further highlighted the strategic importance of the Lekki Deep Seaport, emphasizing its pioneering efforts in full automation and the facilitation of transshipment. He expressed confidence that the port’s latest achievement underscores its readiness to surpass stakeholders’ expectations, signaling a new era of growth and efficiency in maritime operations.
