APM Terminals Apapa renews commitment to maritime collaboration, improved cargo flow, and trade efficiency through digital tools and rail innovations

APM Terminals Apapa has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger collaboration across Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector to drive faster cargo clearance, reduce delays, and enhance the nation’s global trade competitiveness.

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The declaration was made at the APMT Partners’ Engagement Forum held in Lagos — an annual gathering that convenes key players in the supply chain, including port operators, freight forwarders, shipping lines, government agencies, and exporters.

Opening the forum, Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, expressed appreciation to customers for their continued trust in the company despite ongoing global supply chain disruptions.

“Many of these challenges — from freight volatility to congestion — are not unique to Nigeria. But we believe that strong local responses, built on partnerships, will help Nigerian ports remain competitive,” Klinke said.

APM Terminals Apapa, according to Klinke, is making sustained investments in infrastructure, digital platforms, and customer-centric services.

These include terminal expansions, improved scanning systems, and increased rail and barge operations to ease road pressure and speed up cargo turnaround.

Steen Knudsen, Terminal Manager at APMT Apapa, emphasised the critical role of stakeholder engagement in sustaining operational progress.

He cited new initiatives such as:

• Regular rail freight to Moniya (three times weekly)
• Expansion of examination yards
• Upgrades in container scanning
• Enhanced barge movement operations
• Specialised export packages for faster clearance

“All improvements must be matched with cooperation from every party in the logistics chain,” Knudsen stated, urging stakeholders to continue offering feedback to help eliminate bottlenecks.

Kayode Daniel, Commercial Manager at APMT Apapa, underlined the company’s philosophy of treating customers as active partners, not just service users.

“Every milestone is a reflection of the shared vision we have with our customers,” he said.

“We’re committed to continued innovation and streamlined processes that make trade easier.”

A highlight of the forum was a panel session titled “Terminal Progress and Future Outlook”, moderated by Courage Obadagbonyi, CFO of APM Terminals Nigeria.

The discussion focused on how automation, data-sharing, and digital transparency can simplify port procedures and cut down clearance delays.

Speakers included:

• Olaniran Olakunle (NAFDAC): Spoke on the agency’s automated clearance system for food, drugs, and devices.
• Abubakar Usman (Nigeria Customs): Emphasised document compliance by importers and clearing agents.
• Margaret Ogbonna (Nigerian Shippers’ Council): Called for frequent inter-agency collaboration to avoid procedural silos.

Throughout the forum, speakers highlighted the need for an integrated port ecosystem, stressing that fragmented processes and poor compliance continue to hinder efficiency.

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As Nigeria continues to seek improved trade logistics and port competitiveness, APM Terminals Apapa’s push for stronger collaboration, digital tools, and infrastructure upgrades appears key to meeting those ambitions.