APM Terminals Nigeria has called for the transition to sustainable transport to begin at the nation’s seaports, describing the maritime sector as the foundation for building a greener, smarter and more competitive transport ecosystem. The Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Westtar Kapito, made the call during a thematic session on sustainable transport at the 10th Nigeria–EU Business Forum held recently in Lagos.
The forum, which brought together government agencies, regulators, private sector operators, European financial institutions and businesses, provided a platform for Nigeria to showcase investment and funding opportunities across key sectors. Speaking at the event, Kapito said the company had made significant investments in modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure to prepare for the next phase of sustainable port operations.
He said, “At APM Terminals, we recognise that the transition to sustainable transport begins at our ports. This is why we have invested heavily in modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure. Today, we are building the foundation for future electrification. “Every modern crane, digital system, operational upgrade and infrastructure improvement brings us one step closer to the next generation of sustainable port operations.
We understand that the port of the future will not simply be larger; it will be smarter, more connected, more energy efficient and increasingly electrified.” Kapito said the company was driving this vision through the modernisation of APM Terminals Apapa, the transformation of the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Onne into Nigeria’s first green port, investments in digitalisation and infrastructure, waterway transport solutions, and its partnership with Barging Marine Solutions Limited.
He described sustainable transport as a major economic opportunity capable of attracting investment, strengthening supply chains, improving energy infrastructure, creating skilled jobs and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s leading gateway for sustainable trade. “Sustainable transport represents one of the greatest economic opportunities before Nigeria today.
Not simply because it can reduce emissions but because it can unlock investment, strengthen supply chains, improve energy infrastructure, create skilled jobs and position Nigeria as the leading maritime gateway for Africa. The question is no longer whether sustainable transport will come to Nigeria.
The question is whether Nigeria will lead. At APM Terminals, we believe the answer is yes,” he said. Other panellists at the session included representatives of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Discussions centred on accelerating sustainability across road, rail and water transport. Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, said the corporation was working to maximise the use of existing rail infrastructure while seeking investment to fully restore operations on the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge line.
“We want the Lagos–Kano line to be fully operational. The last trip on this line was in September 2024. However, we have restored operations from Lagos to Ilorin. Recently, we transported cement from Lagos to Ilorin several times, making the fourth trip within the last month.
Imagine being able to move cargo directly from Apapa Port to the Inland Dry Ports in Kaduna and Kano,” he said.