APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria’s largest container terminal, celebrated a landmark event with the arrival of “Kota Oasis”, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containership to dock in West Africa.
The vessel, flying the Singaporean flag and owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), measures 260 meters in length and 46 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of 77,850. “Kota Oasis” is the fifth LNG-powered ship in PIL’s fleet and the inaugural vessel of its new “O” class a series of 8,200 TEU dual-fuel container ships designed to operate on LNG and, in the future, bio-methane, to further reduce carbon emissions.
Equipped with Win-GD’s cutting-edge X-DF engines featuring Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER), “Kota Oasis” minimizes methane slip and significantly lowers its environmental footprint. These engines utilize a low-pressure gas solution that is both cost-effective and energy-efficient, meeting the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III standards. The ship emits minimal nitrogen oxides and virtually no sulfur oxides or particulate matter, ranking it among the most environmentally friendly vessels in its category.
At the berthing ceremony, Steen Knudsen, Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, welcomed PIL’s LNG-powered vessel, highlighting how this aligns with the terminal’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions both within the port and surrounding communities. He stressed that efficient port operations not only enhance vessel turnaround times but also enable ships to maintain slower speeds en route to their next destinations, thereby conserving fuel and cutting emissions.
Knudsen reiterated APM Terminals’ dedication to the Nigerian market, pledging ongoing investments in infrastructure upgrades to boost operational efficiency, accommodate larger vessels, and support trade expansion.
Olawunmi Akinyemi, Head of Operations for PIL Nigeria, described the arrival of “Kota Oasis” as a significant milestone that underscores PIL’s commitment to both the Nigerian and broader West African markets.
