By Godwin Oritse
APM Terminals Nigeria has called for the country’s transition to sustainable transport to commence from the nation’s seaports, describing the ports as critical gateways for driving greener and more efficient logistics.
The Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Westtar Kapito, made the call while speaking at a thematic session on sustainable transport during the 10th Nigeria–EU Business Forum held recently in Lagos.
According to Kapito, adopting sustainable transport practices at Nigerian ports would play a significant role in reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency and supporting the country’s broader environmental and economic objectives.
The forum, which attracted government ministries, regulators, agencies, private sector operators, European financial institutions and businesses, served as a platform for Nigeria to showcase investment opportunities and engage potential partners in financing key sectors of the economy.
“At APM Terminals, we recognise that the transition to sustainable transport begins at our ports. This is why we have invested heavily in modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure. Today, we are building the foundation for future electrification.
“Every modern crane, digital system, operational upgrade and infrastructure improvement brings us one step closer to the next generation of sustainable port operations. We understand that the port of the future will not simply be larger, it will be smarter, more connected, more energy efficient and increasingly electrified,” Kapito said.
He added that APM Terminals Nigeria was proud to invest in that future through the modernisation of APM Terminals Apapa, the development of WACT Onne into Nigeria’s first green port, the investments in digitalisation and infrastructure, waterway solutions and the partnership with Barging Marine Solutions limited.
Describing the opportunity before Nigeria as larger than sustainability, Kapito said it is about positioning Nigeria as Africa’s leading gateway for sustainable trade.
“Sustainable transport represents one of the greatest economic opportunities before Nigeria today. Not simply because it can reduce emissions but because it can unlock investment, strengthen supply chains, improve energy infrastructure, create skilled jobs and position Nigeria as the leading maritime gateway for Africa.
“The question is no longer whether sustainable transport will come to Nigeria. The question is whether Nigeria will lead. At APM Terminals, we believe the answer is yes,” he said.
Other participants at the thematic session included the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). The major theme of the entire session was the drive towards sustainability across all modes of transport.
Managing Director, NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, described the agency’s efforts to optimise the use of the current rail infrastructure and called for investment in the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge line.
He said, “We want the Lagos-Kano line to be fully operational. The last trip made through this line was in September 2024. However, we have been able to get this rail working again from Lagos to up until Ilorin. Just recently, we moved cement from Lagos to Ilorin a few times, making the fourth move in the last one month. Imagine being able to move cargo from Apapa port down to the Inland Dry Ports in Kaduna and Kano.”
Opeifa also announced the NRC’s plans towards decarbonising its locomotive fleet, aligning with the Federal Government’s drive towards cleaner energy. He encouraged investments in this area, saying Nigeria had a ready market.
He said, “We have completed Proof of Concept converting our diesel engines to LNG. We ran it for one month; it worked perfectly. Our operating cost was reduced by 70%. With investments in gas, the plan is to have a gas plant around Lagos-Ogun line and another by Warri-Itakpe line where we have a gas pipeline.”
Describing the state’s sustainability plans for its inland waterways as evidenced by the Omi Eko Project, Managing Director LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel said the project was expected to cut CO2 emissions by 540,000 tonnes annually, and greenhouse gas emissions by 30 to 50%.
He said, “Lagos has 20 local governments, 15 of which are accessible by water. The state government is actively developing other modes of transport so Lagos residents can have options. The plan is to have 78 electric vessels running on Lagos waterways, across 15 routes which is 80% of the inland waterways. This will include the remodelling of 25 terminals and jetties, of which 10 will be equipped with solar-supported infrastructure.”
