APM Terminals and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have signed a landmark agreement to electrify operations at Onne Port’s West African Container Terminal (WACT), aiming to reshape container logistics across West Africa.
They signed the memorandum of understanding at the Dutch Consulate in New York during the Global African Business Initiative, launching a strategic roadmap for low-carbon freight transport in Nigeria.
Onne Port, already a key hub in Nigeria’s maritime network, will experience transformative changes from this initiative.
The project will make Onne Port Nigeria’s first “green port,” signaling both symbolic and operational progress. APM Terminals is funding the $60 million initiative, replacing fossil-fuel infrastructure with electric technologies and positioning Onne as a leader in sustainable port operations across Africa.
“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and trade hub,” said Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria. “Our research shows the country can leapfrog legacy systems and adopt electric solutions already delivering results worldwide. Onne is the ideal place to start.”
The initiative builds on a study APM Terminals presented at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit in Abuja earlier this year. The findings highlighted that shifting to electric container freight can attract private investment, create skilled jobs, and improve energy reliability across the logistics sector.
However, the project requires more than capital; it demands coordination between public and private actors and a shared commitment to long-term sustainability.
“Onne Port will become Nigeria’s first green port, advancing decarbonisation within the transportation ecosystem,” said Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the NPA. “This agreement sets a benchmark for other African nations to follow.”
The MoU aligns with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s broader policy goals and signals a new approach for Nigerian ports in the global logistics landscape. For APM Terminals, the focus extends beyond infrastructure to building a lasting legacy.
“Our investments serve our shared future and the people of the region,” said Jeethu Jose, Managing Director of WACT. “Partnerships like this drive long-term growth and value.”
As the project moves from planning to execution, Onne Port stands at the forefront of a new era where sustainability and competitiveness advance together. For Nigeria and West Africa, electrifying Onne may light the path toward a greener, more efficient logistics sector.
source: africaports.co.za
