CMA CGM SCANDOLA, an LNG-powered 14 812 TEUs container vessel, has berthed at Lekki Deep Sea Port – Nigeria’s most modern and deepest seaport. This is the latest in a series of milestones that have been attained at the port since the beginning of the year. The arrival of the vessel was witnessed by stakeholders of Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal and CMA CGM, including top government functionaries, captains of industries, and the media.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1The CMA CGM SCANDOLA has an overall length (LOA) of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters and it is the first LNG-powered container vessel to sail to West Africa arriving first in Tema before coming to Lekki Port. Lekki Port is the only port in Nigeria with the facilities to receive such large container vessels.
Speaking during the arrival ceremony to receive the container vessel, the Executive Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, commended the management of Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal, and CMA CGM for raising the bar in the Nigerian maritime industry by recording several remarkable milestones since the official commissioning of the Port a year ago.
“As a responsive government and shareholder of this port, we are very proud of the achievement of Lekki Port since its inauguration a year ago. This port and the entire lekki economic zone holds the key to the economic prosperity of our state and our country as a whole. We have addressed the road infrastructure within the lekki axis to aid cargo evacuation and we will continue to support the Port and indeed all the businesses within the free zone to attain their full potential,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola represented by [ ], stated that the berthing of an LNG-powered largest vessel is in line with the vision of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate trade and enhance the economic fortunes of the country.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Lekki Port, Mr. Biodun Dabiri stated that “The commencement of this WAX service represents a strong leap in the efficiency and capacity of maritime transport in Nigeria. This marks a major step in driving economic growth, seamless movement of goods, fostering international trade and strengthening Lekki Port’s position as a key player in the global market.” He used the opportunity of the arrival ceremony, to appeal to President Tinubu to connect Lekki Port to the National Rail Network for an additional means of cargo evacuation. He noted that the connection of Lekki Port to the national railway network will enhance the Port’s operations and ensure that the entire country benefits from the Port.
The Chief Executive Officer Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, described the arrival of CMA CGM SCANDOLA as a significant milestone which is part of the CMA/CGM West Africa Express (WAX) service direct from China to Lekki Port and a testament to the commitment CMA CGM and Lekki Freeport Terminal have to ensure that Lekki Port is a significant player in the global Port industry. In his remarks at the ceremony, he noted that “With the arrival of the WAX service, we are confident that Lekki Port will play a major role in the Nigerian maritime sector by boosting the economy and enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria. I want to reassure all our stakeholders that the Lekki Port team and Lekki Freeport Terminal remain committed to offering world-class port and terminal operations services with seamless arrival and evacuation of cargo.”
