From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
In line with its commitment to setting new standards for port operations in Nigeria by helping shipping lines and landside clients achieve cost-effective and improved supply chain efficiency and flexibility, Nigeria’s leading container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa, has commissioned its smart building.
The new digitalised administrative building, located at its terminal in the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) and commissioned Tuesday, is part of its $438 million investment in port development in Nigeria, aimed at continued introduction of innovations.
According to the Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) of APM Terminals, Keith Svendsen, who was in Nigeria for the commissioning, “what is more important is to make sure that we are ready for the future.
“A port is one of the infrastructures that take years to plan and build. This is why we are working to make it better and get ready for the future.”
Svendsen disclosed that the technology in the new building will improve container handling operations and processing in the terminal, especially by enabling electronic invoicing, electronic receipt and online payment processes that allow customers to fast-track their documentation.
Also, the Country Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Klaus Laursen, said the company has invested the sum of $438 million in enabling developing infrastructure, acquiring equipment and improving processes at the terminal.
“In APM Terminals, we have led with a strong ambition to become a world-class terminal operator. We enable access to jobs, products, foods and medicine that allow people to create and live better,” Laursen stated.
“The aim is to make APM Terminals Apapa a better trade and logistics zone. We just have to be better and improve everyday by investing in our people and infrastructure in order to have a smarter and digitalised business that serves the needs of our customers and the country at large.”
Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, has commended APM Terminals for raising the standards of port operations in the country, and for adding immense value to the port over the past 16 years.
Represented by Ayo Durowaiye, Bello-Koko said “it is also gratifying to note that APM Terminals is also paying attention to export, particularly now that the Federal Government is focused on growing the non-oil and agro-business sectors.”
