APM Terminals Apapa will introduce 24-hour barge operations at its dedicated Finger Jetty in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Nigerian container terminal is also targeting a major increase in rail use, with an ambition to move 60% of its export containers by rail.
The initiatives are aimed at improving cargo flows and reducing bottlenecks across Nigeria’s export logistics chain.
The dedicated Finger Jetty will support both incoming and outgoing container movements.
Customers will be able to bring export containers into the terminal, evacuate imports and deliver empty containers by barge around the clock.
“This gives us the capacity to handle more barges unlike the past when we had to do barging on our main quay,” said Kayode Olufemi-Daniel, Head of Commercial at APM Terminals Apapa.
“We now have additional barging capacity which will be operated on our Finger Jetty.”
APM Terminals said the additional capacity should help improve cargo flows through the terminal.
The terminal is also seeking to expand the use of rail for export containers.
APM Terminals Apapa currently has rail arrangements through two locations. Exporters can collect empty containers, load them and return the laden units to the terminal by rail.
Each location currently handles around three rail calls per week, depending on demand.
Each train has capacity for approximately 60 TEU.
APM Terminals said its internal assessment indicates that rail is the most cost-effective option for moving export containers.
The terminal has now set a target for 60% of its export containers to arrive by rail.
The plans were presented during the third APM Terminals Apapa Exporters Forum in Lagos.
The terminal is working with exporters, shipping lines, logistics companies and regulators to identify problems affecting Nigeria’s export supply chain.
“We want exporters to come back to Apapa. We want the volumes to come back, which is why we want to ensure the ease of doing business,” said Olufemi-Daniel.
He added that APM Terminals wants Apapa to strengthen its position as a gateway for Nigerian exports, particularly as the country seeks to increase non-oil trade.
