by BON PETERS
PORT HARCOURT – THE Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Nigeria has received the Kota Oasis, a Singaporean-flagged, liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered container ship, the first of its kind to dock in West Africa.
Pacific International Lines (PIL) owns and operates the environmentally friendly vessel.
At 260 metres in length, the Kota Oasis comprises a Gross Registered Tonnage of 78 501 and a capacity of 8 350 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
The ship, which berthed at OMT last Friday, features dual-fuel technology capable of running on both LNG and diesel. It also incorporates advanced exhaust gas recycling systems to significantly reduce methane emissions, alongside other features that enhance fuel efficiency and environmental safety.
Nicolo Scannavini, Managing Director of OMT, described the vessel’s arrival as transformative.
“This vessel will be a game changer for trade connectivity between Asia and Nigeria,” Scannavini said.
“It’s not only an engineering marvel, but also a testament to the shift toward cleaner, greener shipping solutions. We’re proud to host the Kota Oasis and look forward to more technologically advanced vessels calling at OMT.”
OMT currently services two major global shipping lines, namely PIL and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Scannavini also praised the collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Dhruv Kohli, Head of Operations, Logistics, and Procurement for PIL’s regional office, emphasized PIL’s long-term commitment to the Nigerian market.
“This vessel is part of a larger fleet upgrade aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” Kohli stated.
“We’re proud to bring one of the most advanced ships in the world to Nigeria, a country that plays a vital role in our South West Africa Service rotation.”
Kohli highlighted the Kota Oasis’s dual-fuel capabilities, 40 000-horsepower engine, and its role in enhancing direct trade routes from Nigeria to Asia — including transshipment to Singapore and direct service to China.
“Onne is a critical port for us,” Kohli added.
“This deployment supports faster delivery times and sustainable logistics operations, strengthening our commitment to Nigeria’s economy and environment.”
Deputy Comptroller John Ejeh, representing the Onne Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, reaffirmed the service’s support for trade facilitation and ease of doing business.
“We’ve always supported OMT, PIL, and other key stakeholders. We remain committed to providing the assistance needed to ensure successful operations at the port,” Ejeh said.
– CAJ News
