Posted on April 14, 2025
APM Terminals has reiterated its commitment to invest $500m in expanding its operations in Nigeria.
In a statement on Thursday, the terminal operator made the commitment when its management team, led by the Chief Financial Officer of APMT, Mr. Peter Wikstrom, visited the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Wikstrom affirmed that the fresh investment would be channeled towards expanding terminal capacity, enhancing cargo handling efficiency, and supporting the Federal Government’s goal of attracting larger vessels to Nigerian ports.
The company is committed to investing $500m in expanding our areas of operations in Nigeria.
He expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing transformation in the nation’s maritime sector.
Wikstrom maintained that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is a strategic investment destination for APMT.
Wikstrom said the terminal has operated in Nigeria for over 20 years and sees a promising future for the country.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, stated that the terminal is committed to reforms in the maritime sector.
He expressed appreciation to the minister for his leadership and the strong encouragement he has provided to investors.
Klinke highlighted that the minister’s efforts to remove procedural bottlenecks at the port are already yielding results, “and we are proud to be part of the journey to transform Nigerian ports.”
He mentioned that the terminal is working closely with the Nigerian Customs Service to invest an additional $10m in the acquisition and deployment of modern cargo scanners at Apapa Port.
Klinke noted that the scanners would significantly boost trade facilitation and reduce cargo dwell time.
In his response, Oyetola, while welcoming the delegation, described APMT as a model for terminal operations in the country.
He added that the fresh $500m investment must align with the broader agenda to modernise the western ports and enhance port competitiveness.
“The eastern ports would also not be left behind. We are determined to ensure a holistic upgrade of all Nigerian ports. We are pleased with the quality of infrastructure that APMT has delivered at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa,” Oyetola said.
According to him, the standard APMT set should be the minimum benchmark for other terminal operators across the country.
The minister emphasised that the Federal Government’s drive to deepen draft levels at the Lagos Ports to a minimum of 16 meters “will allow the berthing of larger vessels, improve turnaround time, and reduce shipping costs.”
He further disclosed that the government is actively pursuing full port modernisation and automation, working in close collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service to deploy scanners and eliminate the heavy reliance on physical cargo examinations.
“With our modernisation efforts, we are confident that Nigerian ports will soon rank among the best in the world. Our goal is to create a maritime environment that is efficient, transparent, and attractive to both local and international investors,” the minister added.
