APM Terminals Urges Stronger Partnerships To Drive Green Maritime Infrastructure
APM Terminals Nigeria has called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private-sector operators, investors and development partners to accelerate the delivery of bankable green infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The company’s Chairman, Frederik Klinke, made the call at the second Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria (DIN) Summit, themed, “De-risking Green Infrastructure Investments: From Policy Architecture to Bankable Projects.”
Klinke said Nigeria had recorded progress in maritime reforms and climate-related initiatives, but stressed that greater emphasis must now be placed on translating policies and strategies into practical projects capable of attracting investment.
He said, “Policy alone does not reduce emissions. Strategies do not decarbonise ports. Frameworks do not attract investment. Projects do.”
According to him, stakeholders must move beyond policy discussions and develop scalable, investment-ready projects that can deliver both economic and environmental benefits.
Klinke noted that maritime transport accounts for more than 80 per cent of global trade by volume, making the decarbonisation of the sector crucial to achieving climate objectives while strengthening Nigeria’s long-term economic competitiveness.
He identified regulatory clarity, project preparedness, reliable emissions data and better integration of ports with road, rail and inland logistics networks as key factors required to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to greener maritime operations.
Also speaking at the summit, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Koen De Backker, said ports and terminals had a significant role to play in the global energy transition.
De Backer stressed that efforts to reduce emissions should begin with improving the efficiency of logistics operations.
He said this would involve reducing equipment utilisation and fuel consumption, cutting truck waiting times and congestion, improving cargo movement and operational efficiency, supporting cleaner energy sources and preparing the sector for low-emission technologies.
“Maritime decarbonisation is not only a fuels challenge. It is also an operational challenge,” he said.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, called for urgent policy reforms, stronger public-private partnerships and innovative risk-sharing mechanisms to attract both domestic and foreign investment into Nigeria’s green infrastructure sector.
Hadejia said the country’s climate and infrastructure ambitions could only be achieved through increased participation by the private sector, development finance institutions and institutional investors.
He also emphasised the importance of developing well-prepared projects capable of attracting long-term capital.
The Personal Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure and representative of the DIN Summit Steering Committee, Musaddiq Adamu, said the summit was established to address the challenge of moving green infrastructure projects from the conceptual stage to investment-ready ventures.
Adamu said previous engagements had already produced tangible outcomes, including progress towards the electrification of port operations.
He disclosed that discussions following APM Terminals’ presentation at the inaugural summit resulted in a partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority to advance port electrification and position Onne Port as a model for green port development in Nigeria.
Klinke also highlighted APM Terminals Nigeria’s contribution to the country’s decarbonisation efforts, including the publication of a white paper outlining practical pathways for reducing emissions across the container logistics value chain.
He said the report demonstrated that electrifying logistics operations could attract investment, improve energy reliability, create skilled employment opportunities, enhance public health and reduce emissions across supply chains.
As part of its long-term sustainable logistics strategy, APM Terminals, in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority, is also set to invest in green power infrastructure and electric equipment across its Apapa and Onne operations.
The initiative is expected to improve Nigeria’s trade competitiveness while supporting the country’s climate and environmental objectives.
Klinke said the focus should now shift from discussions to implementation, stressing that the success of Nigeria’s decarbonisation agenda would depend largely on the partnerships, policies and investment frameworks put in place.
He added that infrastructure investments and partnerships established today would play a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s future economy, trade competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
