Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Port Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited, PTOL, has disclosed that the firm handles of kinds of cargos in eastern ports, explaining that its charges remain the lowest tariff in the region.
PTOL, operators of Terminal A at the Port Harcourt seaport, was granted the concession rights by the Nigerian Ports Authority in 2006 to handle all types of cargos ranging from bulk, general and cargos on wheel in the seaport.
Managing Director of PTOL, Mr. Danrick Moss, speaking when he received members of Energy and Maritime Reporters, said the firm was making efforts for space expansion, as they anticipate the huge volume of cargos in the nearest future.
Moss, represented by the General Manager, PTOL, Efaita Ephraim, said that they have continued to acquire special equipment needed to handle different cargo types.
“PTOL can handle any type of cargo. PTOL has four berths and we occupy berth 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the difference in the water depths. We operate the terminal A with yard space capacity to store over 7,000 containers.
“PTOL is the only multi-purpose terminal in Port Harcourt as we remain to be the best terminal operators in the country. This means that all types of cargo can berth here: bulk cargo, breakbulk cargo, and cargo on wheels. Note that container is not a cargo type, but a means of conveying cargo.
The management of PTOL also promised to partner with the leadership of the Energy and Maritime Reporter’s in Rivers State to enhance the growth of the maritime industry.
Also, the Chairman of Energy and Maritime Reporters, Martins Giadom, commended PTOL for the acquisition of some modern port operational equipment such as the two giant reach rackers, as well as enhancing the cordial relationship with other stakeholders in the industry.
Giadom said the group has identified factors such as extortion, armed robbery, multiple community demands, pilfering, harassment and multiplicity of levies as some of the challenges hampering an effective port delivery system in the eastern ports.
“EMR, therefore, uses these opportunity to inform you of our readiness to commence our monthly EMR Forum Series to enable regulatory agencies, IOCs, industry operators and experts, the opportunity to express those obvious challenges affecting the industry through the media for attention.
“Permit me, however, to acquaint you that as strategic stakeholders in the maritime, oil and gas sector, EMR’s core objectives comprise of pursuing strategic media goals that would help bring to limelight the issues affecting the sector, accurate and objective reportage of this aspect of the economy, building capacity of members, and synergizing with relevant stakeholders to grow the industry.”