The first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessel to visit West Africa with 8,200 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) has been berthed at the APM Terminals in Apapa port since yesterday.

The 260-metre-long vessel, flying the Singaporean flag and owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), is the first of its kind to dock in the region.
With a gross tonnage of 77,850 and a beam of 46 meters, Kota Oasis is among the most environmentally advanced vessels of its size and class that can run on both LNG and, in the future, bio-methane to cut carbon emissions.

Speaking at the berthing ceremony, the Operations Lead for PIL West Africa, Dhruv Kohli, said the vessel’s arrival in Apapa demonstrates PIL’s commitment to deploying the latest and most advanced shipping technologies in the region.

He explained that “Kota Oasis” is equipped with Win-GD’s advanced X-DF engines featuring Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER), a system that reduces methane slip and helps to lower the vessel’s environmental impact.

Kohli said the engines emit low levels of nitrogen oxides and virtually no sulfur oxides or particulate matter, making the vessel one of the most environmentally friendly in its class.

The Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, expressed his appreciation for PIL’s decision to dock the LNG-powered vessel at the terminal.

He emphasised that the move aligns with the terminal’s mission to reduce carbon emissions within the port and its surrounding communities. Knudsen noted that efficient port operations contribute to faster vessel turnaround times, which allow ships to travel at slower speeds to their next destinations, thereby conserving fuel and reducing overall emissions.

He reaffirmed APM Terminals’ commitment to the Nigerian market, stating that the company would continue to invest in infrastructure upgrades to improve operational efficiency, accommodate larger vessels and support trade growth.

The Head of Operations for PIL Nigeria, Olawunmi Akinyemi, described the arrival of Kota Oasis as a major achievement that reinforces the company’s dedication to the Nigerian and West African markets.