Nigeria's premier port terminal, APM in Apapa, Lagos has made history by hosting EA Centaurus, the largest container vessel to ever visit the Lagos Port Complex.
The EA Centaurus, owned by COSCO Shipping, boasts an impressive capacity of 7,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and measures 272 meters in length, 43 meters in width, and has a 14.3-meter draft.
According to Marinetraffic.com, the ship sails under the flag of Singapore and has departed the Lagos port enroute Lekki port.
The EA Centaurus beats the 6,606 TEU container ship, The Kota Cantik, another Singapore-flagged mega vessel which arrived at the Apapa wharf in June last year.
The Kota Cantik is managed by Pacific International Lines (PIL), has a draught of 11.6 metres, length overall (LOA) of 300 metres and beam of 40 metres.
The arrival of the EA Centaurus in Nigeria has generated considerable buzz, as it heralds a substantial investment prospect for the nation. This development comes on the heels of the vessel's cargo, which includes vital economic commodities, thereby creating a lucrative opening for growth and expansion in the region.
COSCO Shipping Lines Nigeria's Managing Director, Rex Wang, while speaking with The Punch said the vessel's arrival marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting its expanding services in West Africa. Wang expressed optimism about an economic recovery driven by increased exports of commodities like minerals, sesame seeds, and cashews.
Speaking further, Steen Knudsen, the Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, emphasized the economic impact of receiving such a large vessel, stating that the arrival of EA Centaurus signifies a transformative shift in the types of vessels Apapa can accommodate.
Knudsen noted that larger ships allow for greater economies of scale, which can help reduce import costs for Nigeria, reflecting the country's growing trade capacity and APM Terminals' dedication to supporting this growth.
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