WACT adds new generation Mobile Harbour Crane to improve operations

By Chisom Nwatu

APM Terminals’ West Africa Container Terminal Nigeria (WACT) has added one more new generation Mobile Harbour Crane (MHC) to enhance service delivery at its terminal at the Onne Port, Rivers State.

The new Liebherr LHM600 Mobile Harbour Crane is a powerful and effective crane for handling containers.

The new acquisition, which was delivered to the port, effectively consolidates the position of WACT as the best-equipped terminal in the eastern ports, and also brings the total number of Mobile Harbour Cranes at the terminal to five.

In addition to the Mobile Harbour Cranes, the terminal also has 18 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes and several other container handling equipment.

WACT, which started commercial operation in 2006, is owned and operated by APM Terminals. It 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.

Naved Zafar, managing director of WACT, who received the new Mobile Harbour Crane alongside Jeethu Jose, deputy managing director and head of country projects, and other senior management staff of the company, said that the new crane was acquired as part of a fresh investment of $112 million by APM Terminals to upgrade and expand the terminal.

The upgrade, according to him, includes the acquisition of Mobile Harbour Cranes, Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes, Empty Handlers, Terminal Trucks and Forklifts. The upgrade also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as expansion of the current yard, new workshop and a new terminal gate complex.

“We already have 4 MHCs and it is good to see the fifth one joining the fleet and undergoing the required testing and commissioning. We have been multi-skilling our operators and upskilling them to operate both the MHCs and RTGs,” he said.

Speaking on the development, Jose said the Onne terminal upgrade project enables sustainable success in executing the company’s strategy, with the ultimate goal of providing world-class service delivery at the terminal.

“Adding one more crane will increase our yard capacity, improve vessel operations at the terminal and fast-track cargo delivery. This way we are able to keep up with the market demand and provide exceptional customer experience,” Jose said.