In a bid to further strengthen its position as a key trade hub in West Africa, port and container terminal services provider APM Terminals, a subsidiary of Maersk plans to invest around USD 500 million in Nigeria.
The company recently upgraded its container terminal in Nigeria at an investment of USD 115 million.
The terminal, which was inaugurated by Nigeria’s Vice President Shettima, is set to further enhance service delivery at the port and attract more vessels to the port, the company said.
“This USD 115 million investment is a bold statement of our faith in Nigeria’s economic potential. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, Nigeria stands on the brink of remarkable growth. We are proud to be catalysts in this journey, transforming WACT into a world-class facility that is lifting standards to drive trade and prosperity across West Africa,” Olaf Gelhausen, Chief Operating Officer of APM Terminals, said.
He noted that the company is enhancing capacity and forging stronger partnerships with the Nigerian government to lift global trade.
“APM Terminals has also intensified its talks with the Nigerian administration and port authority to make its plans for future investments concrete. A proposal to invest more than USD 500 million in the future is built on the foundation of a long-term partnership,” the company said.
Besides operating highly efficient terminals, the company intends to contribute to the development of the local communities and bring opportunities for growth and new prospects for Nigerians.
“APM Terminals is deeply committed to Nigeria, with its two container terminals in Lagos and Onne handling about half of the containers going in and out of Nigeria. WACT is one of the best-performing terminals in West Africa, offering customers safe, reliable, and efficient services,” Gelhausen added.
Commenting on the terminal upgradation, Vice President Shettima said, “Nigeria is a country of significant opportunities. APM Terminals’ investment in WACT is a clear sign of the company’s strong commitment to developing ports that are a lifeline to global trade. Nigeria will continue collaborating with APM Terminals in the long term to create an environment where businesses participating in global trade can thrive.”
The company further stated this investment will introduce an innovative auto gate system and advanced data centre, lifting WACT’s operational efficiency to a new standard. The self-service kiosks have also been upgraded to elevate customer experience.
