“We want to understand the pain points with the export process end to end. From there, we look at the root causes of those pain points, identify those root causes, then collectively come up with an action plan on how we can address those issues to increase the export flow,” he said.
APM Terminals is also expanding its barging capability through its dedicated Finger Jetty, which will commence 24-hour operations in Q4 2026. The facility will support both incoming and outgoing containers, allowing customers to move export cargo into the terminal, evacuate imports and bring in empty containers around the clock.
“This gives us the capacity to handle more barges unlike the past when we had to do barging on our main quay,” Olufemi-Daniel said. “We now have additional barging capacity which will be operated on our Finger Jetty.” He said the terminal is equally strengthening communication with shipping lines, exporters, importers and regulatory agencies to improve cargo visibility and streamline operations.
“We want exporters to come back to Apapa. We want the volumes to come back, which is why we want to ensure the ease of doing business,” Olufemi-Daniel said. “We want Apapa to become Nigeria’s export gateway, particularly as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to diversify the economy and increase non-oil exports.” A major component of the terminal’s strategy is expanded use of rail.
Key Client Manager, Adesoji Olaniyan, said APM Terminals Apapa had set an ambitious target of moving 60 per cent of its export containers by rail. He said the terminal currently operates rail evacuation arrangements through two locations, enabling customers to collect empty containers, stuff them and return laden export containers to the terminal by rail.