Follow Us on Google
Maritime practitioners are anxiously waiting the take-off of a new regional port in Port Harcourt.
The port which is expected to begin operation soon is aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s maritime domain value through Public-Private-Partnership.
According to its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Victor Akpanika, there is already growing interest from Europe, Asia and United States of America to fund the venture.
“Port Notel is designed to be Africa’s premier offshore regional port with a minimum draught of 17 meters, on an artificial island, off the Atlantic Coast of Ibeno Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, delivering efficient, effective, safe and secure services to the maritime community, with the mission to unlock Nigeria’s maritime domain value through Public-Private-Partnership.
“It is a phased development, aimed at reducing initial project cost, with ample flexibility for containers, steel products, dry bulk, liquid bulk (including LNG), general cargo, RoRo and deep off shore logistics support base among others.
“The preliminary technical Feasibility Studies & Market Investigation reports which started in 2014 on Port Notel Ocean Terminal Project was completed in November, 2017 by CDR Engineering Consultancy (Nigeria) Limited in partnership with Port Consultants Rotterdam B.V. and CDR International, Netherlands and submitted to the Board of Port Notel Limited in Port Harcourt.
Consequently, a corporate – commercial law firm was commissioned to undertake detailed legal and regulatory audit of the project with a view to uncovering all applicable laws and authorisations that are required for speedy commencement of technical field and site development activities,” he said.
“There are significant growing interest from Europe, Middle East, Asia and United States, by international development funding partners, foreign institutional investors and Global Terminal Operators seeking to partner with PNL for the port development” the MD, said.
