Country Manager, APM Terminals, Apapa Nigeria, Klaus Laursen

APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria’s leading container terminal operator has acquired seven new forklifts to enhance efficient examination of cargo by the Nigeria Customs Service. This is also with a view to improving the movement of heavy materials at the terminal.

Meanwhile the company has invested in excess of US438 million (approximately N168 billion), since the terminal was transferred to it in 2006 after the port concession, which remains the highest investment ever made under the concession programme.

Chief Operating Officer of APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, said the new equipment, which comprise six five tonnes and 16 tonne-forklifts, will enable the efficient performance of tasks at the Customs examination bay and other units without having to share forklifts with other teams.

Recall that APM Terminals Apapa had last year announced a fresh investment of USD80million for the year 2020-2021, bringing the total investment by the company since 2006 to US438 million (approximately N168 billion), the highest investment by any terminal operator in Nigeria.

It was gathered that since then, the company as part of its fleet renewal and expansion programme, has acquired additional cargo handling equipment including seven Reach Stackers, two Empty Handlers, two Mobile Harbour Cranes and four Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs).

With the new acquisitions, APM Terminals Apapa now has 27 RTGs, 13 Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs), several reach stackers, forklifts, empty handlers and specialised terminal trucks in operation. This effectively makes it the best-equipped port terminal in Nigeria.

Knudsen said the terminal has also rolled out a talent development program which includes functional training for all employees.

He said, “Our engineering maintenance team are undergoing industrial automation and control training for better optimization of the latest RTG fleet and other equipment. The functional training is in phases and cuts across all departments.”

APM Terminals Apapa also recently embarked on massive digitization of its operations and services through the deployment of 4G LTE wireless network and the construction of a new Operation Command Centre to enhance service delivery.

“We remain committed to deepening our investment in Apapa to enable us handle increasing volumes at the port. The additional investments will create capacity to handle growth in the economy to support the Federal Government’s efforts on trade growth and improve service delivery across the logistic chain,” Knudsen said.