Since achieving ISO 9001 certification, the Nigerian Ports Authority in Calabar has witnessed an inflow of vessels arriving from different parts of the globe.
The latest arrival at the international seaport is MV Yong Jin on September 24, 2022 from the Republic of China with 11,800 metric tonnes of general cargo.
Speaking to journalists who converged at the EcoMarine Terminal of the Calabar Port in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria, the Port Manager, Dr. Festus Olumati disclosed that the vessel, MV Yong Jin was the second longest cargo ship to berth this year.
According to Olumati, “as a matter of fact, the vessel arrived from China with a total tonnage of 11,800 metric tonnes of general cargo comprising 107 heavy duty vehicles, 11,000 (eleven thousand) metric tonnes of large pipes, buses and others.”
The Port Manager further hinted, “the length of the vessel is 190 metres, which is also a large vessel. This is the second large vessel berthing at the Calabar Port this year. Within three months, this is the third vessel we have received in this port.”
The Mandate
Olumati said that the Calabar Port has been mandated to increase traffic, a directive, which was reiterated when the Managing Director of the NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko paid a familiarization visit to Cross River.
He recalled, “We have been receiving other smaller vessels no doubt, but in accordance with the mandate given to us by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko during his last visit on us, we are not resting on our oars.
“This also goes to show that Calabar Port is working. He had asked us to look for cargo vessels to make sure this port works and that is our mandate in conjunction with the terminal operator, EcoMarine Terminal, ECM,” the Port Manager stated.
Changing Economy
On the economic effect witnessed since the berthing of the Chinese vessel at the Calabar Port, Olumati noted that with the number and varieties of cargo on board the vessel, which had Mr. Jian Xin as captain, many young people were now working at the port.
“You can see a lot of persons working here; they are basically the indigenes of Cross River State. There are also those of the catchment area and working to boost the economy. As they work, their welfare is also paramount to us and I guarantee you, the port has a multiplier effect on the Cross River economy,” he added.
It would be recalled that sometime in early July this year, a large vessel conveying more than one hundred trucks and equipment berthed at the Calabar Port, a feat which elicited accolades from the Managing Director for the staff and management.
Calabar Port in Cross River and Onne in Rivers States remain the two seaports with ISO certification.
Hauwa Abu
