In a landmark event for Nigeria’s maritime industry, the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) on Friday received the Kota Oasis, a Singaporean-flagged, LNG-powered container ship—the first of its kind to berth in West Africa.

Owned and operated by Pacific International Lines (PIL), the environmentally friendly vessel represents a major leap forward in sustainable shipping and green port operations. The arrival of Kota Oasis reinforces OMT’s standing as a key gateway for containerized trade and innovation in Nigeria.

Measuring 260 meters in length, the Kota Oasis has a Gross Registered Tonnage of 78,501 and can carry up to 8,350 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). The vessel, which docked at OMT at 10:00 a.m., is equipped with dual-fuel technology, allowing it to operate on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel. It also features advanced exhaust gas recycling systems designed to reduce methane emissions and enhance fuel efficiency.

Speaking at a reception to welcome the vessel and its crew, Mr. Nicolo Scannavini, Managing Director of OMT, hailed the docking as a transformative moment for the terminal and Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“This vessel will be a game changer for trade connectivity between Asia and Nigeria,” said Scannavini. “It’s not only an engineering marvel, but also a testament to the shift toward cleaner, greener shipping solutions. We’re proud to host the Kota Oasis and look forward to more technologically advanced vessels calling at OMT.”

Scannavini noted that OMT currently services two global shipping giants—PIL and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)—and expressed openness to further partnerships with both national and international operators. He also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and its Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, for ensuring a smooth berthing process.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Dhruv Kohli, Head of Operations, Logistics, and Procurement for PIL’s Regional Office, reiterated the company’s commitment to Nigeria.

“This vessel is part of a larger fleet upgrade aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” Kohli said. “We’re proud to bring one of the most advanced ships in the world to Nigeria, a country that plays a vital role in our South West Africa Service rotation.”

Kohli pointed to the ship’s 40,000-horsepower engine and dual-fuel capabilities as essential components in building a cleaner, faster, and more efficient trade route between Nigeria and Asia, including Singapore and China.

“Onne is a critical port for us,” he added. “This deployment supports faster delivery times and sustainable logistics operations, strengthening our commitment to Nigeria’s economy and environment.”

Representing the Onne Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller John Ejeh pledged continued support for seamless trade operations.

“We’ve always supported OMT, PIL, and other key stakeholders. We remain committed to providing the assistance needed to ensure successful operations at the port,” he stated.

Officials from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and other regulatory agencies also commended the successful berthing and reaffirmed their dedication to fostering maritime innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

–By Bon Peters