NIWA: Maersk Line Faults Reports on Cargo Transfer to Onitsha Port
Containers being transferred to Onitsha River port by barge recently.
Maersk shipping company has said that against what is being reported in the news, the company has not commenced a full shipping operation at Onitsha Inland Port.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) had stated that it commenced test running of container transfer to Onitsha River port from Onne Port recently.
However, in response to inquiry about their operations in Onitsha Inland Port, Maersk said in an email response to Tekedia that the news has been inaccurate.
“There are some inaccurate news reports going around as we are not calling at Onitsha port with our vessels as this is not operationally feasible due to the draft of our vessels.
“We do however offer a through bill product for our customers in which cargo discharged at Onne is trucked to the Clarion Depot in Onitsha, which is roughly opposite the Niger River,” Kerry Rosser, Maersk Africa Communication Manager told Tekedia.
The Onitsha Inland Port was rehabilitated and commissioned in 2012, in view to accommodate vessels and ease Lagos Ports of congestion. But the port is yet to commence full operation since then.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu has said that the commencement of shipping operations at Onitsha port is targeted at the first quarter of 2021.
Moghalu during the arrival of the containers from Onne to Onitsha River Port recently said the aim of the test run is to break the jinx and encourage the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) that is possible to move containers from Onne to Onitsha by water successfully and Onitsha to Onne as well
Moghalu said, “This is the first phase of the test run and the second phase will be from Lagos Ports to Onitsha River port and Onitsha to Lagos”
He stated that NIWA is giving good exemplary leadership to all investors that moving goods on the waterways is economically viable and safe, so that investors can key in and benefit the potentials of water transportation.
The Managing Director also said, “There is no doubt that the full operation of the River port will boost Economic activities in Anambra State and south east, create jobs and wealth for our teaming youths, reduce bottle neck in clearing goods and save money wasted in transporting containers from different port to the south east, decongest our ports in Lagos and reduce the pressure on our roads”.
