West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals Nigeria and the Nigerian Ports Authority have agreed to collaborate to advance decarbonisation efforts within Nigeria’s port and transportation ecosystem.
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria and the Nigerian Ports Authority have agreed to work together to reduce carbon emissions in Nigeria’s ports and transport systems.
That became reality in New York, when the parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the framework to pursue a roadmap to electrify containerised freight in accordance with the policies of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in the country.
This agreement was made official in New York, where both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The goal is to create a plan to switch to electric-powered container transport, following the guidelines of Nigeria’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“We believe that Nigeria is ideally situated to lead West Africa’s transition to low-carbon logistics by electrifying its container transport sector,” said Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria at the signing ceremony.
Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, said Nigeria is in a good position to lead West Africa in using clean energy for container transport.
“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and trade hub, and our research shows us that the country can leapfrog fossil-fuel infrastructure by adopting proven electric technologies. Therefore, we are very optimistic about our joint plans to start shaping the phased roadmap of an electrified future for container logistics,” Frederik Klinke stated at the event at the Dutch Consulate in New York during the week of the Global African Business Initiative.
He explained that since Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy and a major trading center, it can skip over older fuel systems and move straight to electric technology. He is confident about their shared plan to start building a step-by-step plan for using electric transport in the ports.
Reacting to the MOU-signing, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said that by this development, the Onne Port will be the first green port in Nigeria and thereby promote the decarbonisation efforts within the transportation ecosystem.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, head of the Nigerian Ports Authority, said this agreement will make Onne Port the first eco-friendly port in Nigeria, helping the country reduce emissions in the transport sector.
According to him, this will also make Nigerian ports the leader on the continent in terms of sustainable port operations.
He added that this move could make Nigerian ports the best in Africa when it comes to using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
While congratulating the APM Terminals for the collaboration, which will be wholly funded by APM Terminals to the tune of €60 million, the MD said that he is hopeful that this would be the model for African countries to copy.
He praised APM Terminals for funding the entire project with €60 million and said he hopes other African countries will follow this example.
The MOU further builds on a study presented by APM Terminals to the Vice President of Nigeria at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit in Abuja in July this year. It concludes that the transition from fossil fuels to electrified container freight has the potential to unlock private investments, create skilled jobs and ensure a more reliable energy supply.
The agreement builds on a report APM Terminals gave to Nigeria’s Vice President in July. The report said switching to electric container transport could attract private investment, create skilled jobs, and improve energy supply.
However, to make the changes needed, coordination of the sectors and collaboration between public and private partners is essential.
But to make this happen, there must be strong teamwork between the government and private companies.
“For APM Terminals, our partnerships are key to generating long-term growth and value to the countries we operate in. Our investments are for our shared future and for the people living in the region, and we look forward to driving this project with our stakeholders in the port industry,” concludes Jeethu Jose, Managing Director of the West African Container Terminal in Onne, Nigeria.
Jeethu Jose, Managing Director of the West African Container Terminal in Onne, said working together is important for long-term success. He added that APM’s investment is for the future of the region and its people, and they are excited to move forward with this project.
