APM Terminals Apapa has reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration across the maritime sector to improve operational efficiency, accelerate cargo clearance, and boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
According to a recent statement obtained by The PUNCH, the terminal operator made the call during the APMT’s Partners’ Engagement Forum in Lagos.
The event is an annual gathering that brings together key players in the supply chain, including port operators, government agencies, shipping lines, importers, exporters, and freight forwarders.
The Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, opened the forum by expressing gratitude to customers for their trust and continued business, despite the challenges affecting the global supply chain.
He noted that many of these difficulties, such as congestion, delays, and fluctuating freight costs, are not unique to Nigeria but require a concerted, localised response to ensure the country’s ports remain competitive.
Klinke reaffirmed APM Terminals’ long-term commitment to Nigeria, “pledging sustained investments in physical infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and advanced digital tools to deliver faster, more transparent, and more customer-focused services.”
The Terminal Manager of APMT Apapa, Steen Knudsen, echoed these sentiments, underlining the role of stakeholder collaboration in achieving a more seamless port ecosystem.
He encouraged customers to continue sharing feedback and suggestions, describing such engagement as essential to identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions.
Knudsen pointed to recent achievements, such as the launch of regular rail freight services between Apapa and Moniya three times a week, which have significantly reduced road congestion and improved cargo turnaround times.
“Other improvements include the expansion of the terminal’s examination yard, upgrades to container scanning and inspection processes, greater investment in barge operations to move cargo by water, and the creation of bespoke export packages to speed up clearance for Nigerian exporters,” Knudsen said.
He stressed that progress in these areas could only be sustained if all parties in the logistics chain worked in close alignment.
Knudsen also highlighted how the terminal has expanded its online customer portal to allow clients to initiate transactions, track cargo movements, and receive real-time updates from the comfort of their offices or homes.
Earlier, the Commercial Manager of APMT Apapa, Kayode Daniel, spoke passionately about the central role of customers in shaping the company’s trajectory.
He said the terminal views its clients not merely as service users but as active partners in growth and innovation, remarking that each milestone reached was proof of what can be achieved when there is mutual trust and shared vision.
Daniel assured stakeholders that the company would continue to invest in cutting-edge solutions, streamline processes, and deliver service improvements that make doing business easier and more rewarding in an evolving trade environment.
A panel discussion titled ‘Terminal Progress and Future Outlook’, moderated by the Chief Finance Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Courage Obadagbonyi, provided an opportunity for in-depth dialogue on the use of technology to drive efficiency.
The session explored how digital platforms, automation, and data-sharing can cut delays and simplify transactions.
The Director of Port Inspection at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Olaniran Olakunle, explained that the agency’s automated product administration and monitoring system now provides an end-to-end online process for the registration and clearance of drugs, food products, and medical devices, significantly reducing manual delays.
The Customs Area Comptroller in charge of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Babatunde Olomu, represented by Assistant Comptroller Abubakar Usman, emphasised that faster clearance can only be achieved when importers and clearing agents comply fully with documentation and regulatory requirements.
The Director of Regulatory Services at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Margaret Ogbonna, stressed the need for frequent inter-agency meetings to harmonise procedures and avoid working in silos, noting that coordinated action is essential to aligning port processes with broader national trade strategies.
