The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APM Terminals Apapa

  • Port operator announces one-year transition from diesel to solar-powered operations

    Port operator announces one-year transition from diesel to solar-powered operations

    The Lagos Port container terminal operator, APM Terminals Apapa, has announced a one-year roadmap towards its transition from reliance on diesel as a fuel source to gas and eventually to solar and battery-powered solutions.

    This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by its terminal, Steen Knudsen.

    According to him, “As a company, we acknowledge transition is not an overnight journey and so we have designed a roadmap on how we move from the current state to the future state where our operations are fully decarbonised.

    “Currently, we have commissioned two new CNG generators of 4MW capacity in our terminal, which is shifting our reliance from diesel to gas as a fuel source for our power generation. This step also resonates with the Nigerian government’s commitment towards using gas for power generation.”

    He added that with this shift, all the terminal’s reefer plugs, buildings, and lighting will be powered by gas. He said replacing diesel with gas as a fuel source would reduce the terminal’s carbon emissions while continuing the transition into more environmentally friendly options, as more sustainable and renewable energy solutions become available.

    Knudsen said, “In the next six to twelve months, we will further decarbonise our operations through an on-site solar solution, which will further displace our consumption by up to 30 percent and increase our self-generation capabilities.

    “We are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint worldwide, aiming for net zero emissions by 2040. Our approach integrates sustainable practices that boost efficiency while minimising environmental impact.”

    It would be recalled that the Federal Government had, in early July, held a one-day Decarbonisation Summit aimed at addressing the gaps in policy, financing, and technology that hinder Nigeria’s transition to low-carbon infrastructure.

    Head of Procurement of the terminals Nigeria, Chinyere Adenaike, described the terminal’s goal as achieving its net zero ambition through full electrification of the terminal equipment, as well as 100 per cent reliance on renewable electricity to power operations.

    She said, “This vision can only be achieved through strong commitment and deeper collaboration from the government as well as through private investments to strengthen critical power infrastructure and introduce favourable regulations enabling this energy transition and sustainable port operations.

    Read Also: NCS to certify port operators

    “We cannot achieve our net-zero ambition alone. With this recognition, together with our global Energy Category team, we have already begun wider engagements with key stakeholders like Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), local distribution companies and renewable energy developers in the region.”

    She added that the terminal intends to extend a hand of partnership with relevant stakeholders to ease the deployment of renewable electricity solutions in the country, overcoming the current power supply challenges.

    “Nigeria is blessed with high levels of solar radiation, which positions our country as a promising location for both large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal electricity projects, and we, as APM Terminals, are committed to leveraging this opportunity to make our operations green,” she said.

  • Export volumes rise by 30% at Lagos terminal

    Export volumes rise by 30% at Lagos terminal

    APM Terminals Apapa, the largest container terminal in the country, has recorded its highest volume of exports in one month since inception in 2006, The Nation has learnt.

    The terminal had in April 2025, handled 8, 687 TEUs of export cargo,  amounting to over 30 per cent rise as against 6,606 TEUs recorded in April 2024.

    Steen Knudsen, Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, highlighted the positive trend of consistent growth in Nigeria’s export volumes over recent years.

    He emphasized that this development significantly benefits Nigeria’s trade balance, noting, “It’s advantageous for Nigerian shippers when ships depart our ports fully loaded with exports. Preventing ships from leaving empty positively influences the overall cost of shipments into Nigeria.”

    Attributing this upward trajectory to strategic enhancements implemented at the terminal, he said, “Our aim aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of transforming Nigeria into an export-driven economy. To support this, we launched a new rail service in February to expedite the movement of goods from the hinterland to Apapa port. Additionally, we’ve expanded our yard capacity for exports and introduced dedicated truck lanes to streamline the process, reducing the time exports spend in the terminal and ensuring timely ship departures.”

    READ ALSO: Corruption and failed refineries

    Expressing gratitude for collaborative efforts, Knudsen praised the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Railway Corporation, and other key agencies. “Their unwavering support enables us to focus on delivering top-tier services to our customers,” he stated.

    In the last four years, APM Terminals Apapa has recorded a steady rise in export volumes. In 2022, the terminal handled 53, 807 TEUs of exports. This number rose to 70, 432 TEUs in 2023 and 77, 631 TEUs in 2024.

    A leading global container terminal operator and a subsidiary of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, APM Terminals Apapa is Nigeria’s largest container terminal. Since taking over the concession of the Apapa terminal, APM Terminals Apapa has invested in significant upgrades and expansions to increase efficiency, capacity, and productivity, making it a key player in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

  • Export volumes rise by 30% in one month at Lagos terminal

    Export volumes rise by 30% in one month at Lagos terminal

    APM Terminals Apapa, the largest container terminal in the country has recorded its highest volume of exports in one month since inception in 2006, it was learnt.

    The terminal had in April 2025, handled 8, 687 TEUs of export cargo, an over 30 per cent rise as against 6,606 TEUs recorded in April 2024.

    Steen Knudsen, Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, highlighted the positive trend of consistent growth in Nigeria’s export volumes over recent years.

    He emphasised that this development significantly benefits Nigeria’s trade balance, noting, “It’s advantageous for Nigerian shippers when ships depart our ports fully loaded with exports. Preventing ships from leaving empty positively influences the overall cost of shipments into Nigeria.”

    Attributing this upward trajectory to strategic enhancements implemented at the terminal, he said, “Our aim aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of transforming Nigeria into an export-driven economy. To support this, we launched a new rail service in February to expedite the movement of goods from the hinterland to Apapa port. Additionally, we’ve expanded our yard capacity for exports and introduced dedicated truck lanes to streamline the process, reducing the time exports spend in the terminal and ensuring timely ship departures.”

    Read Also: Visit Nigeria, Ghana before judging Africa -Tems

    Expressing gratitude for collaborative efforts, Knudsen praised the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Railway Corporation, and other key agencies. “Their unwavering support enables us to focus on delivering top-tier services to our customers,” he stated.

    In the last four years, APM Terminals Apapa has recorded a steady rise in export volumes. In 2022, the terminal handled 53,807 TEUs of exports. This number rose to 70,432 TEUs in 2023 and 77,631 TEUs in 2024.

    A leading global container terminal operator and a subsidiary of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, APM Terminals Apapa is Nigeria’s largest container terminal. Since taking over the concession of the Apapa terminal, APM Terminals Apapa has invested in significant upgrades and expansions to increase efficiency, capacity, and productivity, making it a key player in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

  • APM Terminals pledges steady Apapa-Moniya rail service for seamless cargo movement

    APM Terminals pledges steady Apapa-Moniya rail service for seamless cargo movement

    APM Terminals Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a consistent schedule for the Apapa-Moniya Standard Gauge rail service, ensuring smooth cargo transportation between the Apapa Port and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Freight Yard in Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State. 

    Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, announced this in Lagos during the launch of the Apapa-Ibadan standard gauge rail service for container transportation. 

    The service provides a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport, easing the movement of containers from the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, to the Ibadan freight terminal. 

    Aubert-Adewuyi described the rail service as an “airport conveyor belt system” designed to run on a fixed schedule, ensuring uninterrupted import and export cargo flow. She also acknowledged past challenges, particularly erratic scheduling, which had made planning difficult for customers.

    She said: “With our revamped service, we now offer a reliable and structured schedule, departing three times a week, ensuring efficient cargo movement from Apapa to Ibadan and back. This initiative also provides a cost-effective alternative to road transport, helping to alleviate the persistent traffic congestion in Apapa, which has significantly increased logistics costs.”

    She also announced a simplified payment system, where customers will now make payments exclusively to APM Terminals Apapa, which will handle all necessary payments to other stakeholders in the rail service supply chain.

    The Chief Finance Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Courage Obadagbonyi, emphasized the multi-modal strength of Apapa Port, integrating barge, road, and rail transport for enhanced cargo handling.

    “Results from our 2024 fiscal year show a 43% growth in export volumes over the last two years, underscoring the positive impact of our investment in rail logistics,” he stated.

    He reaffirmed APM Terminals’ commitment to long-term sustainability, ensuring the continued efficiency of the Apapa-Ibadan rail service.

    Read Also: Lagos boosts Red Line rail service with more trips

    He said the launch further underscores APM Terminals’ commitment to improving logistics services in Nigeria and active plans to further invest in the Lagos Port Complex.

    NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, acknowledged the longstanding collaboration between NRC and APM Terminals in moving container traffic across Nigeria, previously utilizing the narrow-gauge line to Kaduna and Kano.

    He noted that container transportation on the new standard gauge rail line officially commenced in September 2023, with logistics firms like Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics among the early adopters.

    He also revealed that two additional rail lines are nearing completion at APM Terminals Apapa, bringing the total number of standard gauge lines to three.

    The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Pius Akuta, praised the collaboration between NRC and APM Terminals, recognizing rail transport as the most cost-effective and safest mode for shippers to move goods nationwide. 

    The new service operates between the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the NRC Freight Yard in Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transportation.

    It is expected to operate on a fixed schedule, with train departures from Apapa on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each trip will transport up to 35 wagons, carrying either 35 forty-foot containers or 70 twenty-foot containers.

  • APM terminals records best financial year in 2024

    APM terminals records best financial year in 2024

     APM Terminals Apapa has recorded a positive and strong financial performance in 2024, meeting and exceeding the Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) target.

    Findings revealed that the terminal imports increased by 13 per cent and exports increased by 10 per cent during the period under review.

    Its Managing Director at Apapa terminals, Steen Knudsen disclosed that the terminal succeeded in a 14 per cent reduction in port stay of vessels, giving shipping lines more time in their rotations for lifting more cargoes or saving fuel.

    “I am very happy about our results, underlining the big potential we have, to develop our operations in Nigeria even further. We are proud to be a player in supporting the economic growth of this magnificent country and support job and export opportunities. Looking back at the past year, our terminal continued its journey on safety improvements, by a combination of process as well as infrastructure enhancements,” said Knudsen.

    Read Also: Venezuelan investors eye Nigerian mining sector, says Martinez

    During 2024, APM Terminals Apapa celebrated an inaugural call of the largest vessel to ever call Lagos – the COSCO Shipping’s EA Centaurus.

    The terminal also succeeded in a 14 per cent reduction in port stay of vessel, giving shipping lines more time in their rotations for lifting more cargo or saving fuel.

    Finally, the terminal constructed new yard blocks and Customs’ examination ground. This was initiated to cater for additional export cargo as well as more efficient custom clearance of import cargo.

    The CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke said: “I want to take the opportunity to thank all our partners in and around the port for the great cooperation. We are advancing our plans for investment in the Lagos Port in close dialogue with the government. Nigeria is an important market and I am happy that we continue developing our relationship to enable growth and economic prosperity.”

    In Apapa, Kano, and Onne, APM Terminals lifts about half of Nigeria’s containerised trade and provides direct and indirect employment to more than 10,000 Nigerian families.

    The recent USD 115 million upgrade and expansion project in the West Africa Container Terminal (Onne) demonstrates the company’s intention to invest in Nigeria’s port infrastructure – further paving the way for businesses to grow their export markets exponentially.

    APM Terminals develops and operates advanced container terminals around the world and has been lifting standards in the industry for more than a half century.

    The company, it was learnt,  is an independent division in A.P. Moller-Maersk, and has facilities in 60 key locations in 33 countries around the globe – with several in development. APM Terminals employs approximately 33,000 people, and in 2024, there were +27,000 vessel calls and 23.2 million moves in its hubs and gateway terminals.

  • APM Terminals Apapa sees 25% non-oil exports

    APM Terminals Apapa sees 25% non-oil exports

    APM Terminals Apapa, in a significant boost to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, has reported a 25 percent increase in non-oil export throughput in the first half of 2024.

    Its Chief Financial Officer, Courage Obadagbonyi made the announcement during the company’s second Exporters Forum held yesterday in Lagos.

    Obadagbonyi said the terminal handled 51,000 TEUs in the first half of 2024 compared to 47,000 TEUs in the same period of the previous year.

    He attributed this achievement to the terminal’s commitment to advancing the Federal Government’s economic diversification efforts by promoting non-oil exports.

    Read Also: Tinubu to citizens: your sacrifices will soon yield lasting economic benefits

    “As a result of our efforts in this regard, we have recorded a 25 per cent increase of non-oil exports in throughput, handling 51,000 TEUs in the first half of 2024 compared to 47,000 TEUs in the same period of 2023,” he said.

    He underlined how crucial non-oil exports are to the development of jobs, foreign exchange, and inflation control.

    In order to maximise Nigeria’s potential for non-oil exports, Obadagbonyi advocated for increased funding for transport infrastructure, simplified export regulations, and superior goods.

    The terminals’ Chief Commercial Officer Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, during the forum, said it has taken steps to support non-oil exports growth by expanding its barge operations and improving logistics services to accommodate increased volumes.

    According to Aubert-Adewuyi, the terminal had expanded barge slots and introduced new services, including a booking app and enhanced rail transport options.

    “This forum is an opportunity to hear feedback from our customers to continue building products that will help exporters grow their businesses and grow Nigeria’s exports in the future,” she said.

    Operations Head of the terminal, Riyaz Melekolangath, highlighted measures taken to improve efficiency, such as dedicated export lanes and extended gate access, which have drastically slashed export container turnaround times.

    The forum, attended by industry leaders, provided an opportunity for exporters to share their feedback and engage with the terminal’s management.

    Managing Director, Bueno Logistics Limited, Jetson Nwankwo, commended APM Terminals for its commitment to using rail for cargo evacuation, citing the environmental benefits of rail transport.

    “It has been proven that the carbon emission of trains is less than the carbon emission of trucks. If you calculate it by using 10 dollars per pound of carbon, you will discover that APM Terminals can have an award of carbon credit that will be used to offset other expenses.

    “If APM Terminals get some carbon credits, they can lower the rates they give on demurrage, storage or handling charges as the case may be,” Nwankwo suggested.

    The Exporters Forum underscored APM Terminals’ role in promoting non-oil exports and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between exporters and logistics providers in driving Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.