LNG-Powered 14 812 TEUs Container Vessel Berths at Lekki Port

LNG-powered 14 812 TEUs container vessel, has berthed at Lekki Deep Sea Port – Nigeria’s most modern and deepest seaport. This is the latest in a series of milestones that have been attained at the port since the beginning of the year. The arrival of the vessel was witnessed by stakeholders of Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal and CMA CGM, including top government functionaries, captains of industries, and the media.

The CMA CGM SCANDOLA has an overall length (LOA) of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters, and it is the first LNG-powered container vessel to sail to West Africa, arriving first in Tema before coming to Lekki Port. Lekki Port is the only port in Nigeria with the facilities to receive such large container vessels.

Speaking during the arrival ceremony to receive the container vessel, the Executive Governor, of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, commended the management of Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal, and CMA CGM for raising the bar in the Nigerian maritime industry by recording several remarkable milestones since the official commissioning of the Port a year ago.

“As a responsive government and shareholder of this port, we are very proud of the achievement of Lekki Port since its inauguration a year ago. This port and the entire Lekki economic zone hold the key to the economic prosperity of our state and our country as a whole. We have addressed the road infrastructure within the Lekki axis to aid cargo evacuation, and we will continue to support the Port and, indeed, all the businesses within the free zone to attain their full potential,” he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority, Mr Muhammed Bello-Koko, stated that the berthing of an LNG-powered largest vessel is in line with the vision of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate trade and enhance the economic fortunes of the country.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Lekki Port, Mr. Biodun Dabiri, said, “The commencement of this WAX service represents a strong leap in the efficiency and capacity of maritime transport in Nigeria. This marks a major step in driving economic growth, seamless movement of goods, fostering international trade and strengthening Lekki Port’s position as a key player in the global market.” He used the opportunity of the arrival ceremony to appeal to President Tinubu to connect Lekki Port to the National Rail Network for an additional means of cargo evacuation. He noted that the connection of Lekki Port to the national railway network will enhance the Port’s operations and ensure that the entire country benefits from the Port.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Limited, Hinelder Ferreira, explained that the containership, which is a 366-metre Length Overall (LOA) with a capacity for 15,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), ranks amongst the first largest LNG -powered vessel to be calling in West Africa.

Ferreira stated that by deploying these biomethane and e-methane-ready container ships, the CMA CGM Group had demonstrated once again its commitment to support West Africa’s supply chains by increasing deployed capacity, as well as the group’s role as a pioneer to decarbonize shipping and logistics in the region and worldwide. He disclosed that the group had invested close to $15 billion in decarbonizing its fleet, which is currently operating 35 dual-fuel LNG-powered containerships, and will have almost 120 vessels capable of being powered by decarbonized fuels by 2028.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, described the arrival of CMA CGM SCANDOLA as a significant milestone which is part of the CMA CGM West Africa Express (WAX) service direct from China to Lekki Port and a testament to the commitment CMA CGM and Lekki Freeport Terminal have to ensure that Lekki Port is a significant player in the global Port industry.

“With the arrival of the WAX service, we are confident that Lekki Port will play a major role in the Nigerian maritime sector by boosting the economy and enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria. I want to reassure all our stakeholders that the Lekki Port team and Lekki Freeport Terminal remain committed to offering world-class port and terminal operations services with seamless arrival and evacuation of cargo”, he said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT), a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, Christophe Cassang, disclosed that the berthing of the vessel is in line with the terminal’s long-term strategy and commitment to reducing environmental impact. Cassang stated that the terminal is open for business for the global maritime community by implementing new processes and methods.He said the Lekki Freeport Terminal has been built to international standards, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to streamline operations with speed and precision.