From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Maritime stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sune Krogstrup, have commended the massive human and infrastructure transformation by the APM Terminals Apapa since 17 years as the terminal’s concessionaire.
This comes as the container terminal operator celebrates its founders, 76 pioneer staff, and what the Terminal Manager, Mr. Steen Knudsen, calls “a success story of transformation, improved efficiency, innovation and value-added service,” at its 17th post-concession anniversary.
Presenting the 17th Anniversary Photobook, which highlights the terminal’s transformation from 2006 to 2023, Knudsen said the company’s substantial investment in facility upgrade, training, equipment and technology has boosted service delivery at the port.
According to him, this has improved terminal infrastructure, including through the acquisition of such high-grade equipment as Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) and Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs), among others, as well as civil works like the global-standard administrative building with full information technology capacity.
In his goodwill message, Amb. Krogstrup, whose country hosts the headquarters of the Maersk Group, commended APM Terminals for being Nigeria’s bellwether of port operation, while assuring that his country would continue to deepen economic relations with Nigeria.
Also, the NPA Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, commended APM Terminals for fulfilling its concession agreement with the Federal Government and delivering efficient service.
Bello-Koko, who was represented by NPA General Manager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services, Seyi Iyawe, told the operator: “You have transformed the port business and have become a force to be reckoned with.
“Through APM Terminals, NPA has been able to upgrade the port facility. We must also acknowledge the fact that you have been compliant with all the rules and regulations guiding the port. We celebrate your uniqueness and expertise.”
For his part, the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Amaechi Aloke, commended the concessionaire’s performance, stating that as the first to be concluded by the BPE in 2006, the APM Terminals concession gave the government opportunity for other concessions to develop the port and other critical infrastructures across the country.
Meanwhile, the Country Managing Director, APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr. Frederik Klinke, said it was an occasion to thank the Federal Government for granting the port concession, and to acknowledge the contributions of its shareholders, staff and partners to the terminal’s modernisation so far.
Noting that the concession enabled APM Terminals to develop critical port infrastructure for the Nigerian economy, Klinke said the occasion was also an opportunity to recognise those who, through their daily efforts in the terminal, ensure steady cargo flow to and from importers and exporters, consumers and producers.
“Since 2006, the employees of APM Terminals Apapa have been responsible for this critical task and while doing so, not only contributed to the economy by facilitating growing trade with the rest of the world, but also through the over $440 million worth of Foreign Direct Investment done in the terminal,” he said.
“Most importantly, (it is also contributing) through the training and development of young Nigerians to take on increasingly senior roles in the company and further in the industry.”
Also vouching for the company’s transformation through sustained investments and upgrade, the Commercial Manager, Temilade Ogunniyi, insisted that “APM Terminals Apapa can compete favourably with terminals all over the world. What you see here is what you see in other terminals, be it Europe or America.”
