U.S. envoy lauds MRS for berthing first 80,000mt vessel in Africa

It’s a huge milestone for Africa, says Dantata
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington yesterday commended the management MRS for its huge investment, workforce and the technology deployed in running the firm.

The American envoy, who praised the firm for engaging no fewer than 2,000 direct employees and 500,000 indirect workers, lauded the company for employing so many Nigerian even as the nation suffers recession.

He made the remarks when he paid a working visit to MRS depot and jetty at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa where he was received by Chairman of the company, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, who took him and his team on a tour of the facility currently undergoing expansion and upgrade.

“I am impressed with the quality of workforce and level of technology deployed in running this facility,” Symington said while praising the company for its vision, African spread and national presence.

While expressing confidence in the mutually beneficial business relationship between MRS and the U.S., he further commended the company for its diverse workforce that grew MRS to what it is in record time, as well as its partnership with global firms, especially US companies.

Dantata expressed surprise that the American envoy took time out of his busy schedule to visit the terminal.

“I am grateful that Symington found the time to appreciate us. The vessel, MT Lila Victoria berthed at our jetty last week, with a dead weight of 75,000MT, which is the first of its kind in any African port. Our achievement here is that we have put Tin Can terminal in the international shipping arena for 80,000mt – 120,000mt vessels calling a port within Africa,” he said.

Dantata pointed out that with its capability to berth vessels of that size, MRS could conveniently save the country a minimum of $2 million per voyage which translates to $120 million annually, an amount he said, was currently being wasted on ship to ship operations, shallow draft and delays.