NPA issues directives to shipping lines, terminals on Apapa port congestion

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has directed shipping lines and APM Terminals Apapa to implement a set of urgent measures aimed at tackling the persistent congestion caused by the delayed evacuation of empty containers at the Lagos port.

This comes amid rising complaints over slow container movement and operational gridlock at the APMT terminal, which is a key gateway for Nigeria’s imports and exports.

The crux of the crisis is the pile-up of empty containers, which stakeholders say has strained available yard space and disrupted port efficiency.

In response, the NPA convened a high-level meeting on June 4, bringing together major shipping lines, including Maersk Line, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, Hapag Lloyd and Pacific International Lines, alongside the APM Terminals management, to address the operational breakdown.

Read also: NPA pledges support for NLNG to drive export trade

Following the meeting, NPA issued three key directives, including mandatory submission and inspection of holding bays, which require shipping lines to submit an up-to-date list of their holding bays, including their locations and capacity.

The Port Management will also begin inspecting these facilities to assess their suitability and identify potential bottlenecks in container management.

Also, to avoid the kind of disruption witnessed when APM Terminals temporarily shut its gates to all shipping lines, the NPA has introduced a mandatory notification schedule.

Terminal operators must now issue a five-day notice, followed by a three-day reminder, and a final 24-hour notification before any gate closure.

APM Terminals has been instructed to move incoming laden containers to off-dock terminals to free up space within the main terminal and allow smoother processing of empty containers and exports.

“There must be better coordination among terminal operators, shipping lines and port managers if we are to sustainably address congestion,” said Ikechukwu Onyemekara, general manager of corporate and strategic communications at NPA.

According to Onyemekara, shipping lines at the meeting blamed the gridlock on the terminal’s blanket gate closure, which they said was implemented without adequate notice.

But APM Terminals insisted the action was necessary, citing high cargo volumes and slow evacuation of containers by the lines themselves.

Read also: NPA’s implementation of domestic sales of crude in naira is commendable – Adedeji

The terminal’s manager, Steen Knudsen, recently clarified that APMT had to temporarily restrict the reception of empty containers due to a sharp increase in import volumes.

He said shipping lines had prioritised discharging laden containers while neglecting the timely evacuation of empties, leading to a yard overflow.

In the face of these claims and counterclaims, the NPA says it is taking a hands-on approach to resolving the issue. Part of this includes real-time monitoring of terminal capacity levels and strengthening the role of off-dock terminals and bonded warehouses.

Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, who convened the meeting, said poor coordination and a lack of timely data sharing among operators were exacerbating delays, warning that Nigeria’s trade competitiveness could be undermined if the trend continues.

By pushing for structural reforms and closer oversight of logistics systems like holding bays and yard planning, the NPA is hoping to ensure the country’s busiest seaport doesn’t grind to a halt under the weight of its own cargo.