The largest container terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, the Apapa Container Terminal, operated by APM Terminals now has the same standard with any container terminal in Europe.
APM Terminals’ Chief Executive Officer, Kim Fejfer, disclosed this in Lagos recently during a working visit to Nigeria.
“Now we see a modern container terminal performing at par with the best in Europe and this has important impact on trade in and out of Nigeria,” Fejfer stated shortly after meeting with top management staff of APM Terminals Apapa Limited.
He said that he was in Nigeria to thank the leading global terminal operators’ customers, partners, government authorities, management and employees “for everything” and “for what they have done in terms of continuing to advance the cause of APM Terminals.”
He said: “The market in Nigeria is continuing to grow. There is increased consumption and import into the country and there is huge need for infrastructures. The opportunities for development are exciting and APM Terminals is committed to being a part of that growth.”
The APM Terminals CEO disclosed that his company had already invested about N31 billion ($200 million) to upgrade and modernise the Apapa Container Terminal in the last six years.
According to him, the company was investing additional N20 billion ($130 million) in the next three years.
“We plan to increase yard capacity and add additional harbour cranes with the aim of increasing productivity and capacity over the next three years,” he said.
Fejfer said that the company had progressed well with safety, stating, “it is a joint responsibility between management and labour to see that we all get home safe.”
To the customers of APM Terminals, Apapa, Fejfer said: “Nigeria is a great country with great prospects. All parties in the supply chain should work in partnership to optimise the supply chain which is needed to facilitate trade and facilitate prosperity for the country.”
APM Terminals Apapa Limited took over operation of the Apapa Container Terminal in March 2006 after emerging the preferred bidder in a bidding process under the Nigerian government’s port concession programme.
Shortly after taking over operation, APM Terminals commenced modernisation and upgrading of the terminal to eliminate vessel queues, which were hitherto the nightmare of shipping lines and importers.
Vessels now sail directly into the terminal as against a waiting time of about 40 days before APM Terminals started its operation.
Source: PM News