The management of Five Star Logistics Terminal has explained that the recent tugboat incident at Tin Can Island Port didn’t affect berthing and other port services at the seaport terminal.
According to the terminal’s management, the situation was handled professionally and speedily, even as it commended Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for effectively managing the incident.
Recall that a tug boat piloting a barge loaded with containers sank at the berth space somewhere between berth 9 and 10 of Tin Can Island Port, operated by Five Star Logistics Terminal.
In a bid to clear the air on the incident, the Customer Care Manager at Five Star Logistics, Mr. Chuks Okereafor, explained that no casualties or business operations were hampered by the unfortunate incident.
Okereafor who explained the incident in a press statement disseminated on Tuesday said; “Contrary to some reports in the media, the tugboat incident wasn’t caused by the terminal. We can confirm that in no way did the accident affect berthing and sailing of vessels. NPA was up on their duty to make sure the tug boat was salvaged.”
“The tugboat, which belongs to Messrs Medlog Nigeria Limited, sank on June 7th, 2024 while a vessel ‘MSC RESILIENT III VOY ZA417A’ was discharging at berth. NPA speedily approved a salvage plan and the tugboat was successfully salvaged on June 16th, 2024.”
According to the port operator, during the period two Roro vessels berthed and sailed without delays as they discharged over 4300 vehicles as the incident didn’t affect berthing or port operations.
“Two Roro vessels discharged 4370 and one container vessel also berthed and sailed before the tug boat was salvaged on June 16th, 2024. GLOVIS SUN VOY 240S01 berthed on June 10th, 2024 and sailed on June 13th 2024 while another vessel, SILVERSOUL VOY 24SS06 berthed on June 14th, 2024 and sailed June 16th, 2024. These activities indicate that the incident didn’t affect berthing at Five Star Logistics,” the port operator explained.
He, however, noted that the salvage exercise had to be conducted severally as the initial effort failed because the tugboat was being pulled from a rusted and weak area.
“The date for the first unsuccessful salvage was conducted on June 13th, 2024. The exercise was repeated on June 15th, 2024; but the tugboat was successfully removed on June 16th, 2024,” Okereafor noted.
The seaport terminal encouraged port users to go about their business at the terminal, assuring that the company remains committed to optimal service delivery.
