Joyce Mmereole Okoli
APM Terminals Apapa, the largest container terminal in the country, hosted its first “Exporters Forum” on Wednesday. This landmark event gathered key stakeholders to address and resolve challenges within the non-oil export sector.
Frederik Klinke, the Country Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, initiated the forum by acknowledging the pivotal role exporters play in Nigeria’s economic development. He stressed that the Exporters Forum was established to create a platform for dialogue and to devise solutions for the obstacles exporters face.
Klinke underscored APM Terminals’ commitment to facilitating a smooth export process, promising efficient operations and minimized barriers at the terminal.
“Nigeria is naturally endowed with numerous resources, positioning it among the top emerging economies globally,” Klinke stated.
“APM Terminals is dedicated to supporting the country’s export drive, enhancing economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and overall economic prosperity.”
Commercial Manager Ismaila Badjie affirmed this commitment, emphasizing ongoing initiatives to bolster non-oil exports across APM Terminals’ facilities throughout Nigeria.
Chief Commercial Officer Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi detailed collaborations with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to utilize the new standard gauge rail line for transporting containers from Moniya, Oyo State, to the port. She also highlighted the use of barges to ease road congestion and enhance logistics efficiency.
Aubert-Adewuyi assured attendees that the Exporters Forum would become a bi-annual event, ensuring regular interaction and collaborative problem-solving. Many exporters praised APM Terminals for its proactive stance and support for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the federal government’s economic diversification agenda.
Olubunmi Olumekun, President of the Association of West African Exporters and Marine Professionals, expressed gratitude to APM Terminals for providing a platform to tackle logistical challenges. He emphasized the vast potential of Nigeria’s export market, which requires collective efforts to fully exploit.
Following the discussions, participants toured the terminal to observe the extensive infrastructure and improvements made by APM Terminals. Since commencing operations in 2006, APM Terminals Apapa has invested over USD 438 million (more than N657 billion) in infrastructure upgrades, IT system modernization, personnel training, and capacity expansion. These enhancements have doubled container volumes and eliminated vessel waiting times, significantly boosting productivity.