NIGERIA – A German firm, Lierherr Group, has delivered mobile harbour cranes and other equipment valued at over $20m to Nigeria’s maritime logistics firm, Sifax Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited.
According to Sifax Group, the new equipment acquired are five shore cranes, nine reach stackers, 10 terminal tractors, five Nissan pickup vehicles, four trailer backs and other machinery.
At the inauguration of the new equipment in Lagos, Group Managing Director, Sifax Group, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye, hinted that the acquisition was part of the company’s strategic investment to deliver quality service to its clients and to further attract more patronage.
He said, “With our new internal restructuring project code named Quantum Leap, Sifax Group is repositioning itself to become the first choice terminal not just in Nigeria but in West Africa.
“We have also set a target that will increase our revenue with over 300 per cent in five years.
One of the ways we can achieve our set targets is to first begin with investment in equipment which will complement our excellent personnel asset.”
The Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr John Jenkins, said there was a need to acquire the latest equipment in order to meet the architecture requirements of modern ships calling the terminal.
Ports and Cargo Handling Services was among the few terminal operators given concession to run ports in Nigeria in the light of government’s decision to build capacity in shipping through public – private sector partnership.
The company commenced operations effectively on May 10, 2006 at Terminal C in Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, Nigeria.
The terminal has four berths with a combined length of 795 meters and 13 meters draft and conveniently handles bulk/general cargo carriers, as well as container and RORO vessels.
Another critical service provided by the company is stevedoring.
It operates with a dynamic pool of well trained dockworkers who are experts in the loading and discharge of a wide range of cargoes.
Some of its clients include Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk, United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), MNM African Shipping Line, EuroAfrica Shipping Line, among others.
