APM Terminals Partners to Expand Apapa Service Operations

APM Terminals has entered into an exclusive lease agreement with Barging Marine Solutions Ltd, extending to September 2031, to scale up services in and around Apapa, reinforcing its long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria’s trade and logistics sector.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, APM Terminals said the partnership is designed to deepen collaboration between both companies, boost capacity, and strengthen landside and barge connectivity for the benefit of customers and shipping lines.

Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals, Keith Svendsen, said the agreement reflects confidence in the Nigerian market, which recorded strong growth throughout 2025. He noted that the company believes in the market’s long-term potential and is taking deliberate steps to unlock further value at the terminal, while positioning for future investments and modernisation in Lagos.

Svendsen added that Barging Marine Solutions has built a resilient business, and the collaboration would allow both parties to harness shared synergies.

Also commenting, Chief Executive Officer of Barging Marine Solutions Ltd, Karim Said, said the agreement builds on an already strong working relationship and would deliver improved logistics solutions for APM Terminals’ customers and shipping lines by combining BMS’s barging and terminal capabilities to provide additional capacity and dependable service.

Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, said enhanced barge operations and BMS’s leadership in inland container depots would improve reliability, speed, and coordination across the supply chain, resulting in a smoother and more efficient customer experience.

APM Terminals operates facilities in Apapa, Kano, and Onne, handling about half of Nigeria’s containerised trade and supporting over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide. The company recently completed a $115m upgrade and expansion at the West African Container Terminal, underscoring its commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective logistics solutions. It also signalled readiness to invest further in Nigeria to improve multimodal transport options, quayside efficiency, and overall customer support.

As part of a global network of more than 60 terminals, APM Terminals connects key trade routes worldwide and serves all major shipping lines.

Barging Marine Solutions Ltd, which has operated in Nigeria since 2019, provides barging and terminal services across Lagos. Its operations include waterside terminals in Abule Oshun and Agbara, as well as inland container depots in Abule Oshun offering bonded terminal and clearing services for Apapa and Tin Can cargo.

The company’s barge fleet moves containers across Lagos waterways, helping to reduce road congestion in Apapa and lower logistics costs. Under the agreement, Barging Marine Solutions will operate services for APM Terminals, while both firms will jointly develop value-added solutions for customers.

The partnership covers two waterfront and inland container facilities, alongside barge services that provide an alternative to road haulage, easing pressure on trucking routes and contributing to reduced traffic congestion and more efficient cargo movement.