APM Terminals Targets 60% Export Cargo Movement By Rail
APM Terminals Apapa has announced plans to transport 60 per cent of its export containers by rail as part of measures to improve cargo evacuation and reduce bottlenecks in Nigeria’s export logistics chain.
The terminal also disclosed plans to commence round-the-clock barge operations at its dedicated Finger Jetty in the fourth quarter of 2026, providing additional capacity for the movement of import and export containers.
The company made this known at the third edition of its Exporters Forum, themed “Exports – Voice of Customers Forum,” which brought together exporters, shipping lines, logistics operators, regulators, academics and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Head of Commercial, APM Terminals Apapa, Kayode Olufemi-Daniel, said the forum was aimed at identifying challenges affecting the export process and developing practical solutions with industry stakeholders.
He said the terminal was taking a collaborative approach to addressing delays and improving the flow of export cargo from the point of origin to the port.
According to him, the objective was to understand the difficulties experienced by exporters, identify the root causes and jointly develop an action plan capable of improving export volumes and efficiency.
Olufemi-Daniel said APM Terminals would also expand its barge operations through the Finger Jetty, which is expected to operate 24 hours daily from the fourth quarter.
He explained that the facility would handle both incoming and outgoing containers, allowing exporters to move cargo into the terminal while importers could evacuate containers and return empty containers around the clock.
The development, he said, would provide the terminal with additional barging capacity and reduce pressure on the main quay.
The commercial executive added that APM Terminals was strengthening communication and coordination with shipping lines, exporters, importers and regulatory agencies to improve cargo visibility and streamline port operations.
He said the broader objective was to attract more exporters to the Apapa port and strengthen its position as a major gateway for Nigeria’s exports, particularly as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to promote non-oil exports and diversify the economy.
On rail evacuation, the terminal’s Key Client Manager, Adesoji Olaniyan, said APM Terminals had set a target of moving 60 per cent of its export containers by rail.
Olaniyan said the terminal currently operates rail evacuation arrangements through two locations where customers can collect empty containers, stuff them and return laden export containers to the terminal by rail.
He explained that each location records about three rail calls weekly, depending on demand, with each train capable of carrying approximately 60 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
According to him, the terminal’s assessment showed that rail remained the most cost-effective option for evacuating cargo, making increased reliance on the mode important to improving the efficiency of the export value chain.
Participants at the forum commended APM Terminals for providing a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on operational challenges and assess progress on recommendations from previous editions.
Customer Service Manager, COSCO Shipping Lines Nigeria, Precious Idika, said APM Terminals’ Team View portal had simplified some processes for customers, particularly those relating to terminal access.
She noted that the platform allowed customers to complete payment advice while shipping lines could update relevant information, thereby facilitating access to the terminal.
A faculty member of Lagos Business School, Prof. Frank Ojadi, described the forum as an important avenue for sustained engagement between APM Terminals and its stakeholders.
Ojadi, however, urged the terminal to expand the initiative beyond Lagos by engaging stakeholders in major commercial and export-producing centres, including Kano and Port Harcourt.
