- President Tinubu to inaugurate the upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)
- The $115 million upgrade reflects A.P.Moller-Maers (APM) Terminals’ commitment to Nigeria’s maritime growth
- The terminal’s upgrade supports Nigeria’s economic agenda and alleviates congestion at Lagos ports
The newly upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State is set to be officially inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
WACT Managing Director Jeethu Jose commended the upgrade's transformative effect, calling it a landmark event for the Nigerian port sector.
“We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the upgrade of our terminal at Onne Port. This development is set to be a game-changer for Nigeria, and we’re thoroughly excited about the future it heralds,” Jose stated.
APM terminals’ to support economic growth
The $115 million (around N178.2 billion) upgrade project, launched in 2021 is set to be inaugurated on Wednesday, September 4.
Operated by APM Terminals, the facility is Nigeria’s largest and most efficient container terminal outside Lagos, marking a significant step forward in the country’s port infrastructure.
The terminal plays a crucial role in supporting the economic growth of Eastern Nigeria and reflects A.P. Moller-Maers (APM) Terminals and its partners' dedication to advancing Nigeria’s maritime capabilities.
Jose said, “The fresh investment of $115 million is not only a testament to the trust and confidence that APM Terminals has in the Nigerian economy but also contributes significantly to our overarching mission of improving lives globally while fostering trade.”
WACT is Nigeria’s first port to dock largest container vessel
The West Africa Container Terminal holds a unique position in Nigeria’s maritime history as the first greenfield container terminal created through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Situated in the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State, the terminal showcased its impressive capabilities on August 15, 2020, when it became the first Nigerian port to dock the largest container vessel ever recorded.
The Maersk Stadelhorn, stretching 300 meters in length and 48.2 meters in beam, can handle around 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of containers.
Upgraded terminal to alleviate congestion at Lagos ports, others
The occasion not only emphasised the terminal’s enhanced operational capacity but also its significant contribution to facilitating major trade, reinforcing Nigeria’s prominence in the global shipping industry.
The commissioning ceremony is anticipated to draw numerous distinguished guests, highlighting the project’s importance.
The upgraded terminal will enhance the efficiency and capacity of Nigeria’s ports, playing a vital role in relieving congestion at Lagos ports, optimising trade routes, and lowering costs related to shipping delays.
The development also supports the federal government’s comprehensive economic agenda to reinforce and diversify non-oil sectors by advancing essential infrastructure, cultivating public-private partnerships, and improving Nigeria’s global competitive edge.
Maritime sector faces risk of 40,000 job losses due to economic hardship
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, acknowledged the decline in import trade and lamented the empty state of most terminals during his visit to several terminals in Lagos.
Also, the former vice president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Agents (ANLCA), Mr Kayode Farinto mentioned that the nation’s seaports had been seeing a decline in cargo volume over recent months, with many importers and clearing agents struggling to manage the fluctuating exchange rate.