By Steve Agbota
The Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State has achieved a major milestone by successfully hosting the Kota Carum, the largest vessel ever to dock at the Onne Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT).
The historic event further cements OMT’s growing status as a central hub for large-scale maritime trade in West Africa.
Flying the Singaporean flag, the Kota Carum is owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), a leading shipping company in Asia. The impressive container vessel, measuring 301.43 meters in overall length, arrived at the OMT jetty at 10:30 AM and was safely berthed by 10:50 AM, occupying berths 9 and 10.
With a capacity of 6,606 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), the Kota Carum is a significant addition to the g rowing fleet of large vessels calling at Onne Port. During its 55-hour stay at the terminal, the vessel will discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619 containers, including export cargo and empty containers. In a reception to mark the vessel’s arrival, Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, hailed the event as a landmark moment not only for the terminal but for Nigeria’s maritime industry at large.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne. Following the arrival of the Kota Cempaka last year, this achievement reflects our continued growth, our strategic investments in terminal infrastructure, and our unwavering commitment to operational excellence,” Stewart stated.
He highlighted the ongoing modernization of OMT, which includes the acquisition of state-of-the-art cranes to enhance cargo-handling capacity and reduce vessel turnaround time.
Stewart also underscored the broader economic benefits of hosting such large vessels, explaining that direct calls by bigger ships eliminate the need for transshipment via smaller feeder vessels. This results in reduced logistics costs and lower freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters.
“This is not just a win for OMT; it’s a win for the Nigerian economy. The ability to berth larger vessels means more direct cargo movement, lower logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country. Freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transshipment,” he said.
He also extended appreciation to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its vital role in creating an enabling environment for OMT’s success.
“We have an excellent working relationship with the Port Manager, Mr. Abdulrahmon Hussain, and the entire team at the Nigerian Ports Authority. The leadership of Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has been instrumental in our success. Allowing a vessel of this magnitude to berth at our terminal is a vote of confidence in our capabilities,” he added.
Stewart called on the Federal Government to allocate more resources for channel dredging at Onne Port, which would allow the terminal to accommodate even larger vessels and further increase trade volumes.
“We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But to unlock Onne Port’s full potential, additional dredging is essential. We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels,” Stewart appealed.
The Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, also spoke at the event, reiterating NPA’s technical readiness to handle large vessels.
“At the Nigerian Ports Authority, we are fully equipped—both in training and technology—to safely pilot large vessels into our ports. The successful berthing of the Kota Carum is evidence of our capacity and professionalism,” Ezra said.
The successful hosting of the Kota Carum represents a significant leap forward for OMT and solidifies Onne Port’s position as a capable gateway for global trade routes. As shipping lines increasingly turn their attention to West Africa, OMT’s infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategic location continue to attract growing volumes of international maritime traffic.