As a large container freighter from the French shipping group Dafay slowly docked at the port of Laiki in Lagos, Nigeria, people on the shore cheered in waves. In the eyes of locals, it is precisely the development of this West African "star port" by Chinese companies that has made Nigeria's dream of embracing large container ships a reality.
Nigeria is a major country in West Africa, and in recent years, the insufficient cargo throughput capacity of ports has become a major constraint on Nigeria's foreign trade development. The maximum cargo capacity of container ships in Lagos old port is only about 6000 TEUs. But with the opening and operation of Laiki Port, developed by China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd. (China Harbour), the situation where large container ships find it difficult to dock in Nigeria is rapidly changing.
Locals told Xinhua News Agency that Dafei Shipping Group's container ship is the largest container ship ever docked at a Nigerian port, with a full load capacity of nearly 15000 TEUs, making it the "bride" welcomed by the port of Laiki.
"This is something we are truly proud of. We are integrating the port of Leki, Lagos state, and Nigeria into the global ocean logistics industry," said Governor Babajid Sanwo Olu of Lagos, welcoming the arrival of the cargo ship. Sanwo Olu stated that Lagos is willing to increase cooperation with China in infrastructure construction.
Abudunlin Koleosho has been engaged in the maritime industry in Nigeria for over 32 years. He told reporters that the arrival of this cargo ship at the port of Leki reflects Nigeria's progress in maritime infrastructure. "It is truly inspiring to witness our deepest harbor welcoming a 'bride'."
According to Du Ruogang, the General Manager of China Harbour Nigeria Laiki Port Co., Ltd., Laiki Port, developed by China Harbour under the "investment and construction" model, is Nigeria's first modern deep-water port with an annual design capacity of up to 1.2 million TEUs. It is estimated that as a new engine of economic development in Nigeria and a "star port" in West Africa, Laiki Port can drive approximately $360 billion in GDP growth, create 170000 jobs, and bring in approximately $158 billion in direct and indirect commercial revenue during its 45 year franchise period.
Yan Yuqing, Consul General of China in Lagos, said that Lekki Port is a major landmark achievement of the high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" between China and Nigeria, and China is happy to see it play a positive role in Nigeria's national modernization. The successful berthing of this large cargo ship marks a more promising future for the port of Leki, and it is expected that this port will become a new business card for Nigeria to go global.
