By Steve Agbota
APM Terminals Apapa has achieved its highest-ever export volume in a single month since its establishment in 2006. In April 2025, the terminal handled 8,687 TEUs of export cargo, marking a 30% increase compared to the 6,606 TEUs recorded in April 2024.
This milestone was announced in a press release shared with the media on Sunday.
Steen Knudsen, the Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, noted the consistent growth of Nigeria’s export volumes in recent years, emphasizing that such positive trends are pivotal to improving the country’s trade balance.
“It’s advantageous for Nigerian shippers when ships depart our ports fully loaded with exports. Preventing ships from leaving empty positively influences the overall cost of shipments into Nigeria,” Knudsen remarked.
Knudsen attributed the rise in export volumes to a series of strategic upgrades implemented at the terminal. “Our aim aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of transforming Nigeria into an export-driven economy,” he explained. “To support this, we launched a new rail service in February to expedite the movement of goods from the hinterland to Apapa port.”
In addition, he highlighted infrastructural developments such as the expansion of yard capacity for exports and the introduction of dedicated truck lanes, designed to streamline operations and reduce the time exports spend in the terminal. These enhancements ensure timely ship departures, contributing to the terminal’s overall efficiency.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind this success, Knudsen expressed gratitude toward key stakeholders. “The unwavering support from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Railway Corporation, and other critical agencies allows us to focus on delivering top-tier services to our customers,” he said.
Over the past four years, APM Terminals Apapa has seen a consistent rise in export volumes. In 2022, the terminal handled 53,807 TEUs; this figure increased to 70,432 TEUs in 2023 and 77,631 TEUs in 2024.
As Nigeria’s largest container terminal and a subsidiary of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, APM Terminals Apapa continues to play a crucial role in the nation’s maritime sector. Since assuming the concession of the Apapa terminal, the company has invested heavily in upgrades and expansions to enhance efficiency, capacity, and productivity, reinforcing its position as a key player in the industry.
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