Comet Shipping, WACT Facilitate Berthing Arrangement Of MV Lady Jane At Onne Port

Comet Shipping Agencies Limited in collaboration with West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)  at Onne Port in Rivers State have facilitated the smooth berthing of MV Lady Jane, the largest container vessel ever to navigate Rivers Port.

The vessel, owned by OOCL berthed at 2:30 pm on13th April, 2022 at West African Container Terminal at Onne Port and is 296 metre long and more than 12 metre draft.

The berthing of Lady Jane is described as historic, a landmark and a positive development for Onne Port, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and in particular, Comet Shipping Agencies Limited.

Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director of NAL-Comet Group, Mr. Pier  Luigi Carrodano said the successful berthing of the vessel was a sign positive growth of port industry in Nigeria.

“This is a welcomed development and good for the international image of Rivers Port and Nigeria’s port industry in general. We have shown the world that in terms of capacity, Nigerian ports and indeed Nigerian companies like Comet Shipping Agencies could handle mother vessels,” said Carrodano, who was elated by the development.

Mr. Carrodano gave credit to Mr. Sunil Verghese, the Port Harcourt Manager of Comet Shipping and his dedicated staff including the management of NPA Port Harcourt, the Customs Area Controller of Onne Port Command, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed, for their seamless collaboration to ensure that this feat was achieved.

The Nigerian Ports Authority earlier had stated that the vessel, MV Lady Jane with a length overall of 295m and a draft of 12m berthed at the WACT Terminal, Onne Port.

This has again proven the Authority’s readiness to consolidate on the growth of container vessel traffic in the eastern ports.

The vessel which sailed from Majuro in the Marshall Islands is discharging 840 TEUs and loading 1,060 TEUs 50% of which are agricultural commodities — Cashew nuts, Sesame seed, Cassia Tora seeds, etc.

“This is coming on the heels of the reception at Onne Port of the first-ever export-laden barge containing 120 TEUs of Cocoa to Belgium via Cotonou earlier this year.

“Although Onne Port has been traditionally known for Oil and Gas logistics, the implementation of fresh ideas by the Mohammed Bello Koko administration had resulted in a 30% increase in container traffic at year-end, 2021.

“This is a testament to the unwavering resolve of the Authority to promote non-oil exports and support the effort of the Federal Government at diversifying the economy.” NPA said.