Transition to Sustainable Transport begins at Ports-APM Terminals Nigeria

Bonny Oriarehu

APM Terminals Nigeria has said the transition to sustainable transport should begin at Nigerian ports.

Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Westtar Kapito made this remark during a Thematic Session on Sustainable transport at the 10th Nigeria–EU Business Forum which held in Lagos.

“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.

He added that APM Terminals Nigeria was proud to invest in that future through the modernisation of APM Terminals Apapa, the development of WACT Onne into Nigeria’s first green port, the investments in digitalisation and infrastructure, waterway solutions and the partnership with Barging Marine Solutions limited.

Describing the opportunity before Nigeria as larger than sustainability, Kapito said it is about 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,” he said.

Managing Director, NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, described the agency’s efforts to optimise the use of the current rail infrastructure and called for investment in the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge line.

He said, “We want the Lagos-Kano line to be fully operational. The last trip made through this line was in September 2024. However, we have been able to get this rail working again from Lagos to up until Ilorin. Just recently, we moved cement from Lagos to Ilorin a few times, making the fourth move in the last one month. Imagine being able to move cargo from Apapa port down to the Inland Dry Ports in Kaduna and Kano.”

Opeifa also announced the NRC’s plans towards decarbonising its locomotive fleet, aligning with the Federal Government’s drive towards cleaner energy. He encouraged investments in this area, saying Nigeria had a ready market.