Glaring record of new milestone achievement as Lekki Deep Seaport again berthed the first largest vessel on Friday 17th of May 2023. The Length Over All (LOA) vessel a 300 Meter christened CMA-CGM RABELAIS with capacity of 6570 TEUs.
The christened CMA-CGM Rabelais will be discharging and loading export 200 TEUs cargoes in exchange.
CMA-CGM originated the journey from Shanghai, China and called at LekkiPort being the largest vessel to have berthed since the commencement of commercial operations at the port in April 2023.
The CMA CGM Rabelais which is second to Total’s Egina FPSO in the World has set a new record for the port and, indeed, the Lagos Pilotage District, as being the largest vessel in ship dimensions to berth in the district.
The vessel, safely manoeuvered to berth by the Nigerian Ports Authority led by Pilot Fagbo Sayid, sailed from Shanghai and made brief stops at Kribi and Cotonou before sailing to Lekki Port.
According to the Managing Director, Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, this milestone attests to the readiness of the port to become a major hub for global trade and logistics, which is evident in its capacity to receive larger vessels.
Also speaking on the milestone, the Assistant Harbour Master for Lekki Port, Captain Garba Gajere, explained that a thorough navigation risk assessment was carried out to ensure optimal handling of the vessel.
Gajere described the milestone as one of many to come noting that pilots seconded by NPA to Lekki Port are fully ready to carry out their duties. It would be recalled that the port received its first commercial vessel, the GSL Alice vessel, on 6th April 2023.
In the same vein the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello Kolo said,
“The fact that this vessel is departing the Country on the same day it berthed is a fulfillment to deliver speedy cargo dwell time through improved efficiencies and state-of-the-art machinery and I am delighted to assure you that we are committed to continuously improving on this milestone “.
