APM Terminals Apapa in Nigeria supports the Federal Government’s effort to connect the Apapa Port to the country’s Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line.
Klaus Laursen, the country manager of APM Terminals Nigeria, said that “linking the port to the rail line will facilitate cargo delivery.”
Laursen believes that a multimodal port evacuation system could assist in congestion challenges.
“APM Terminals Apapa first restored the rail in the port in 2013 leading to the movement of containers from Apapa port to Kano and Kaduna three times a week,” noted Laursen, adding, “Connecting the port to the new Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line will offer cost advantage to consignees and reduce pressure on the road network.”
At the same time, APM Terminals Apapa, the largest box terminal in Nigeria, encourages the use of barges for the container movement from the terminal.
In recent years, the container terminal has embarked on a transformation journey, according to Laursen, who said, “For us, it is not just about moving containers around; we are a heartbeat for the society and we create value for our customers.”
The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, stated that “arrangements have been made to remove the Customs building housing a radiation scanner, which has been obstructing the extension of the rail track to the port quay.”
“By the end of this month, we want to ensure that the removal of this Customs facility, which is on the rail track, is resolved. The goal is to have this track operational by the end of this month,” added the minister.
