The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in strategic partnership with APM Terminals Apapa, has successfully completed the rehabilitation of 970 meters of the quay apron surface at Apapa Port, marking a significant milestone in enhancing Nigeria’s busiest container terminal’s operational efficiency and safety.
This major infrastructure upgrade was confirmed in a recent statement from APM Terminals, highlighting the project as a critical investment aimed at improving operational safety, sustainability, and the overall handling capacity at Apapa’s container terminal. The quay apron, a crucial area where ships berth and cargo operations take place, has historically been one of the most sensitive and high-risk zones within the terminal due to constant heavy-duty operations.
According to the Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, the completion of this extensive rehabilitation was no small feat. He noted that executing repairs in such a high-traffic zone demanded precision planning and flawless coordination to avoid any disruptions to the daily terminal activities.
“Despite these operational constraints, the project was delivered seamlessly, with zero safety or security incidents throughout the process,” Knudsen emphasized, praising the professionalism and commitment displayed by all teams involved.
The rehabilitation work encompassed 12,640 man-hours and involved deploying specialized equipment and a dedicated workforce to ensure the quay apron was restored to optimal condition without compromising ongoing port operations.
The successful completion of the quay apron rehabilitation underscores the strong collaboration between APM Terminals Apapa, NPA’s Engineering Department, and various stakeholders. Special commendation was given to the Nigerian Ports Authority leadership, including Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Executive Director of Engineering & Technical Services Abba Umar, and General Manager of Engineering Mukhtar Isa, for their hands-on leadership and continuous on-site supervision throughout the project.
Since taking over the concession of the Apapa terminal in 2006, APM Terminals has invested a whopping $438 million in upgrading infrastructure, acquiring new equipment, and developing local manpower, reflecting a long-term commitment to improving Nigeria’s port operations.
Earlier in 2025, the terminal reaffirmed its commitment to expand its operational capacity in Nigeria by collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service to invest an additional $10 million in modern cargo scanners. This investment is expected to streamline cargo processing, reduce dwell time, and boost trade facilitation, contributing further to port efficiency.
The Apapa quay apron rehabilitation project is particularly significant as Apapa Port handles over 70% of Nigeria’s containerized cargo, making the efficiency of its infrastructure critical to the country’s trade flow and economic growth.
Industry experts believe that continuous investment in port infrastructure such as this is key to reducing congestion, minimizing vessel turnaround time, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime sector.
The NPA and APM Terminals’ joint efforts reflect a broader trend of public-private partnerships driving infrastructure modernization across Nigerian ports, which will ultimately improve logistics, attract foreign direct investment, and support national economic development.
With this rehabilitation project completed ahead of schedule, the Apapa terminal is now better positioned to handle increased cargo volumes, reduce operational risks, and provide safer working conditions for terminal staff.
As Nigeria continues to expand its role as a maritime hub in West Africa, projects like the Apapa quay apron upgrade demonstrate the critical importance of infrastructure development to unlock the full potential of the nation’s port facilities.