A general cargo vessel has berthed in the Calabar Port with 204 heavy-duty trucks, 22 cubic meters of mostly pipes and other containers.
Speaking after the arrival of the vessel on Friday in Calabar, Mr Olumati Festus, Port Manager, Calabar Port, said that the port was still viable and of economic benefit to the state and Nigeria.
Festus said that the Calabar Port was safe for berthing, hence the need for customers to patronise them by using the port to clear their general containers.
“The significance of the berthing of this vessel is to tell the world that Calabar Port is active and working. The rumour going around that nothing is happening in Calabar Port is fake.
“The length of this vessel is 190, and this has never happened in recent times in Calabar Port.
“The cargo onboard is 204 trucks, 22 cubic meters of general cargo, especially pipes and we also have some containers in it.
“In the past three years, it has never been like this; we are happy to tell the world that we are receiving a cargo vessel that we have not had in the past three years,” he said.
He said that the berthing of the ship was in line with the policy of the Managing Director of NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, to revamp the port and attract customers.
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“The Managing Director of NPA has given us the necessary equipment, working materials and all that is required to work and make the port viable,” he noted.
He said that the arrival of the vessel would generate revenue and employment for residents in Calabar.
He added that over 50 persons were going to support the shipping company in the discharge of the trucks and containers.
Also speaking, Mr Edward Akpan, General Manager of Eco Marine Terminals, Calabar, said that the vessel came into Calabar Port from Singapore.
Akpan said that the vessel conveyed the trucks and other containers for one of their customers.
According to him, the owners of the cargo see Calabar Port as a preferred terminal based on the support given to them over the years.
“As a terminal, we woo our customers by giving them some incentives for them to berth in Calabar Port. We have some professionals that are actually handling the operations.
“Our customers are satisfied with our mode of operations and I want to appreciate NPA for their continuous support for the terminals.
“We have handled safe delivery of cargo over the years without any dent or damage; our customers trust us on that and it is a very clean record for us.
“When vessels berth in Calabar Port, the owners are always here to ensure that their cargo is not dented and they have been so amazed with recommendations on our path for a job well done,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a beehive of activities at the Port during the discharge of the trucks and containers. (NAN)