WACT acquires 15 new RTG cranes to enhance service delivery in Onne Port
By The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne has acquired 15 new Kone Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) to enhance service delivery at its terminal in Onne Port, Rivers State.
Noah Sheriff, commercial manager of WACT, who confirmed this in a statement issued by the company on Monday, said the concessionaire had commenced the training of operators of the highly technical cranes, which are the first in Nigeria’s eastern ports.
“The first batch of six RTGs has arrived at WACT, Onne and we expect to deploy them into operations in May 2021. Awareness campaign with the trucking community is also ongoing,” he said.
The deployment of the six new cranes would be the start of WACT’s transformation from the use of Reach Stackers to RTGs in the terminal, which will immediately increase the terminal’s current import yard capacity.
“We are expecting a total of 15 RTGs and the remaining nine will be delivered later this year. In addition, WACT also took delivery of eight new specialised terminal trucks last week to support the high incoming volumes,” he said.
Sheriff said the acquisition of the new cranes and terminal trucks is part of the ongoing USD$100 million investment, aimed at significantly increasing the terminal capacity for the benefit of the landside customers in the Eastern part of the country.
“We envisage significant volume growth; hence we embarked on an ambitious terminal upgrade, which includes both yard expansion and equipment upgrade. We have successfully transformed our quayside model of operation by moving from ships gear operations to full Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) operations. Our terminal currently has four functional Mobile Harbour Cranes,” he explained.
Also, he disclosed that contractors have mobilised on-site for the commencement of civil works in continuation of the upgrade, scheduled to be completed this December.
Aamir Mirza, managing director of WACT, said WACT has become one of the best-equipped container terminals in West Africa and has strategic plans for consistent improvement in every area of its operations.
“With our massive investment, WACT has established itself as the largest and most efficient container terminal in East Nigeria, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities. We now receive large and gearless vessels that hitherto were only able to call at Lagos ports,” he said.
WACT, which started commercial operation in 2006, is the first Greenfield container terminal in Nigeria to be built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The terminal is located within the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne Port, Rivers State. Over the years, it has grown to become the most efficient gateway to markets outside the Lagos area.