Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa celebrated the 17th anniversary of its port concession agreement this week. The moment was commemorated at an event attended by a range of high-profile dignitaries and customer representatives.

During his welcome address, the Country Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr. Frederik Klinke thanked the Federal Government for granting the port concession and acknowledged the contribution of its shareholders, staff and partners in developing this critical port infrastructure for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.

USD440 Foreign Direct Investment

“Since 2006, the employees of APM Terminals Apapa have been responsible for ensuring cargo keeps flowing to and from importers and exporters, consumers and producers in the country,” said Mr. Klinke. “This has not only contributed to the economy by facilitating growing trade with the rest of the world, but also through the more than USD440million worth of Foreign Direct Investment made in the terminal, and most importantly, through the training and development of young Nigerians to take on increasingly senior roles in the company and further in the industry.”

This was reinforced by Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Mr. Steen Knudsen, while presenting the 17th Anniversary Photobook highlighting the transformation of the terminal between 2006 and 2023. “For APM Terminals Apapa, it has been a success story of transformation, improved efficiency, innovation, and value-added service,” he said.

Improved terminal infrastructure

“Investment by APM Terminals Apapa has led to improved terminal infrastructure, including the acquisition of high-grade terminal equipment such as Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs), Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and many others as well as civil works including a world standard administrative building with full information technology capacity.”

Commercial Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Temilade Ogunniyi, gave her assurance that the company will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to build a vibrant economy.

“Everyone has mentioned how APM Terminals Apapa has improved and transformed over the years – we owe that to our valued employees who adopted cultural and transformational changes with open arms through the past 17 years. I am confident to say that APM Terminals Apapa can compete favorably with terminals all over the world. What you see here is what you see in other terminals be it Europe or America,” she said.

Continued collaboration from NPA

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, in his goodwill message delivered by the NPA’s General Manager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services, Seyi Iyawe, was also full of praise for APM Terminals for fulfilling its concession agreement with the Federal Government and for delivering efficient service at the port. He assured APM Terminals of NPA’s continued collaboration and support.

“You have transformed the port business and have become a force to be reckoned with. Through APM Terminals, the NPA has been able to upgrade the port facility. We must also acknowledge the

fact that you have been compliant to all the rules and regulations guiding the port. We celebrate your uniqueness and expertise,” Bello-Koko said.

The representative of the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Amaechi Aloke, expressed delight over the performance of APM Terminals Apapa since it won concession of the container terminal. He said the success of the APM Terminals concession, which was the first to be concluded by the BPE in 2006, had created the opportunity for the Federal Government to enter into other concession agreements to develop the port and other critical infrastructures across the country.

“I feel so proud and happy about APM Terminals’ achievement. We do some of the most difficult job – economic reform, but today it has been demonstrated that private and public corporations can work together to generate greater results. You have exceeded our expectations. Keep doing this and continue to excel,” Mr. Aloke concluded.