Bayo Akomolafe 
Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa has recorded a 25 per cent increase in the volume of exports passing through the Lagos Port in the last four years.
In its half-year export figures report, the terminal operator explained that non-oil cargo handled by it in 2024 stood at 51,000 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs), a rise of 25 per cent Year-on-Year (YOY) when compared with 47,000 TEUs for H1 2023.
The Terminal Manager of the company, Steen Knudsen described non-oil export cargo as an integral part of the terminal’s business, noting that in the last four years, the terminal had witnessed a steady growth in non-oil export cargo.
According to him, “In 2020, export volumes stood at 53,000 TEUs, in 2021 it rose to 63,000 TEUs and in 2022, 71,000 TEUs. The greatest rise in exports was recorded in 2023 when volumes rose to 94,000 TEUs, an increase of 32 per cent.”
Knudsen added that the terminal would be hosting its second exporters forum, come September 19th, saying that forum was the company’s way of supporting the Federal Government’s non-oil export drive.
He stressed that the forum was basically a brainstorming session, where the company rub minds with the various exporting associations in the country on how to best resolve their challenges to facilitate more efficient movement of exports into the ports.
He said: “More exports out of Nigeria translates to lower shipping costs since the vessels don’t go back empty. We will continue to partner with our customers and all relevant government agencies in the port to encourage Nigerian exporters in their business.”
Launched in mid-2024, the APM Terminals Apapa exporters’ forum provides a safe place for the terminal, its export customers and shipping lines to discuss issues that impede the flow of export cargo into the port.
The company’s Head of Commercial, Kayode Daniels said that the maiden forum launched in June was a huge success.
Daniels added: “We got so much feedback from the exporters on how we could collaborate to streamline our processes to improve export volumes. With agro-export produce, time is of the essence as prolonged storage in containers could ruin the quality of the cargo before it gets to its destination.
“The feedback we receive in the forum will be used to improve our operations and other associated processes concerned with the export of non-oil exports. I believe we can all work together to further strengthen the port’s export process.”
APM Terminals Nigeria’s market and Commercial Intelligence Manager, Adetunji Igbaugba, described the terminal’s culture as one of continuous improvement.
He said: “One of the ways we can improve is by hearing from our esteemed customers. This was a major reason for the first export forum held in June, and the invaluable feedback from our customers and stakeholders assisted in the improvements recorded.
“In preparation for the coming export season, we will be proactively having another session to review and look at ways we can jointly eliminate/ reduce future challenges and better service our esteemed customers.”
