08 May 2014, Calabar – The Port Manager of Calabar Port, Musa Wada, has disclosed that despite the low draft of the channel leading to the port, an arrangement is ongoing with one of the terminal operators to bring containerised flat bottom vessels to the facility to increase its cargo throughput
Disclosing this to Vanguard in Houston, Texas, Wada explained that the arrangement is part of efforts of the central management to increase and expand the capacity of the port which presently handles 90 percent wet cargo.
The Port Manager, who said that they are working on some form of concession of the terminal’s operation to make the deal attractive, noted that the first of such ship is expected to berth at the Calabar port before the end of the year.
According to him, “Right now as I am talking to you, there are specialised vessels, (that is containerised vessels) which we are trying to introduce into the port which can pass through the present channel.
“We have not concluded but very soon it will take off.”
On how soon it is expected to take off, Wada said “Well it depends on when the application for waivers for them is granted. We are looking for waivers for them and if that is approved by the management, it will take off.
“You see when you are wooing people to come and invest you must give them waivers to encourage them because of our limited draft. We are working on that but hopefully in a few weeks from now when we get the approval from the central management, it will take off.
– Vanguard
