APM Terminals’ West African Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne and the Nigerian Ports Authority have formed a strategic partnership to speed up decarbonisation in Nigeria’s ports and transport sector. Through the MoU, both parties set out a roadmap to electrify containerised freight, aligning with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s policies.
Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, stated that Nigeria is well-positioned to lead West Africa’s shift to low-carbon logistics by electrifying its container transport sector. He explained that as Africa’s largest economy and trade hub, Nigeria can bypass fossil-fuel dependence and embrace tested electric solutions. He expressed optimism that their phased roadmap would drive the country toward an electrified future in container logistics.
In response to the MoU, Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, announced that Onne Port would become Nigeria’s first green port, advancing decarbonisation across the transport sector. He added that this milestone would position Nigerian ports as continental leaders in sustainable port operations.
Dr Dantsoho congratulated APM Terminals on the $60 million collaboration, fully funded by the company. He expressed hope that this initiative would serve as a model for other African nations to replicate.
The deal follows a study that APM Terminals presented to Nigeria’s Vice President at the Decarbonising Infrastructure Summit in Abuja last July. The study found that switching from fossil fuels to electrified container freight could attract private investment, generate skilled jobs, and improve energy reliability. However, it stressed that the transition would depend on strong cross-sector coordination and close public-private collaboration.
Jeethu Jose, Managing Director of WACT, emphasized that partnerships drive long-term growth and value in APM Terminals’ host countries. He highlighted that the company’s investments aim to secure a shared future for the region’s people and expressed eagerness to advance the project with stakeholders in the port industry.
source: maritimafrica.com
