Business News of Monday, 12 May 2025

Source: www.punchng.com

Terminal operator records 30% export surge

APM Terminals Apapa said it handled 8,687 twenty-foot equivalent units of export cargoes in April, an increase of over 30 per cent compared with the 6,606 TEUs recorded at the same time in 2024.

The terminal, in a statement on Sunday, stated that the figure is the highest volume of exports it has recorded in one month since its inception in 2006.

“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,” the statement read in part.

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

He emphasised that this development significantly benefits Nigeria’s trade balance, stressing that it’s advantageous for Nigerian shippers when ships depart the ports fully loaded with exports.

According to him, preventing ships from leaving empty positively influences the overall cost of shipments into Nigeria.

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Knudsen attributed this upward trajectory to strategic enhancements implemented at the terminal.


“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 have 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,” Knudsen said.

Knudsen praised the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Railway Corporation, and other key agencies, adding that their unwavering support enables the terminal to focus on delivering top-tier services to their customers.

“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.