MSC begins weekly call of 4,038-TEUs container vessel at PCHS terminal

Determined to achieve timely delivery of consignments to the importers’ warehouse, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHS), a subsidiary of Sifax Group, has, in collaboration with Mediterranean Shipping Company Nigeria Limited (MSC), received one of the largest container vessels to visit Nigerian port at its terminal in Lagos.

The 260-metre long vessel with a capacity of 4,038 TEUs, known as ‘Mare Atlanticum’, berthed at PCHS terminal last week on its dedicated service voyage from Asia to West Africa, tagged ‘Africa Express’. This service was introduced in order to improve and reduce the transit time of the already existing service from the initial 44 days to 28 days.

Speaking at the ceremonial welcome of the vessel, Jeff Gosciniak, managing director, MSC Nigeria Limited, said the new weekly service was aimed at ensuring that Nigerian importers had their consignment expressly delivered without any trans-shipment, adding that it would have a ripple effect on the Nigerian economy as a whole.

He said the service was due to the hard work, dedication and joint effort of PCHS, MSC Nigeria and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

Mustafa Mohammed, general manager, operations, NPA, who expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in achieving the tremendous success through joint effort, also stressed that immense preparation and planning had been put into making it a reality such that Ports & Cargo would continue to meet future expectations.

He confirmed that Ports & Cargo had the capacity to handle the increasing volume of cargo which the new weekly cargo delivery from Asia by MSC would attract, adding that PCHS had invested hugely in the latest state-of-the-art equipment, ranging from the recently purchased rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs) to mobile harbour cranes and terminal trucks.

In a telephone conversation with MSC Nigeria boss, Taiwo Afolabi, group executive vice chairman and CEO, Sifax Group, who was unavoidably absent at the event, congratulated both PCHS and MSC for their efforts in making the dream a reality. “We have all indeed shown that when partnerships are strong and genuine, there are no limitations as to what can be achieved,” Afolabi said.