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APM Terminals Apapa Marks Yuletide with over 8.1 Million TEUs Record

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APM Terminals Apapa Marks Yuletide with over 8.1 Million TEUs Record

APM Apapa Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen

… Knudsen says Container Volumes have annually increased, averagely at 23% in 15 years!***

The nation’s foremost Container handling giant, the APM Terminals Apapa has entered the Yuletide season with genuine euphoria, highlighting that the terminal has actually handled more than 8.1 million twenty-feet equivalent units (TEU) of containers, within the past 15 years.

The APM  Apapa Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen stated this, noting also that container volumes at the terminal have increased by an average of 23 percent annually, over the past five years.

“We handled 8,134, 847 TEUs of containers since 2006 and more than 650,000 TEUs per year in 2020 and 2021 – the majority of that being import volume. Over the last years, we have managed to grow the business extensively – by 23 percent per annum on average.

“We are continuously making our terminal operations more efficient,” he said.

“While there is a compelling need to reduce the dwell time of containers at the terminal, there are several factors – most of them beyond the control of a terminal operator – that make it possible for consignees to keep their containers at the terminal for a long period of time.

“As a terminal, we are interested in ensuring that dwell time remains as low as possible. However, there are processes in place that we are not in direct control of.

APM Terminals Apapa. Photo credit: Tom Lindboe.

These include customs clearing processes and related processes of other government agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and so on.

These agencies all have to approve the movement of cargo out of the port.

The more in harmony this process can work, the faster the cargo can move through the terminal and hence reduce cost for the importers.

“Another very relevant factor at the moment in terms of cargo flow is the foreign exchange rate to the US dollar, which is starting to hurt the Nigerian importers, and cargo seems to be slowing down simply because warehouses are getting full.

Hence it is more likely that the container will stand in the seaport for a longer time,” Mr. Knudsen further said.

He said the strategy of APM Terminals Apapa is to be the preferred logistics gateway into the Nigerian economy, and in doing so – to provide world-class services.

“World-class services mean the shipping lines that come in get a consistent and cost-efficient product, i.e. that we handle their vessels fast, hence translating into a reduced cost of import and export in the market.

“For the Nigerian importers and exporters, it would mean that our efficiency on the waterfront allows us to be also cost-efficient in terms of facilitating their trade back into the market.

“Another element of strategy is, of course, continuous building and strengthening our operations in Nigeria.

APM Terminals is a global company, and as such we bring in international practices and best standards when it comes to facilitating the international flow and international trade into the market.

And it is also important for the terminal to continuously focus on customer-centricity and on creating a consistent and safe environment for our employees.

“Customer centricity is not just about shipping lines, but also about internal customers to ensure that all the processes are consistent and efficient for facilitating their trades.

 

For our employees, it means we are the preferred employer; that we continuously offer the best facilities and safe operations so that they have long-term employment with us, can develop themselves and go home safely at the end of the day,” he also explained.

APM Terminals Apapa is the largest container terminal in West Africa.

With an investment of over USD438 million in equipment, facilities and other elements of its operations over the last 15 years; the terminal has continued to introduce new innovations to help both shipping lines and landside customers achieve improved supply chain efficiency and flexibility in a cost-effective manner.

 

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CGC Adeniyi Reaffirms Commitment To Strengthening Partnership Between Customs, NAGAFF

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CGC Adeniyi Reaffirms Commitment To Strengthening Partnership Between Customs, NAGAFF

…Lauds NAGAFF’s resilience and dedication,  to exploring areas of mutual interest

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service NCS and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF. 

The CGC stated this while receiving a visiting delegation of the association, expressing deep enthusiasm and appreciation for their visit, as well as the body’s commitment to enhancing the industry to overcome its challenges.

Addressing the delegation on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller General praised NAGAFF’s resilience and dedication, particularly to exploring areas of mutual interest, identifying potential opportunities for collaboration, and emphasising the importance of their ongoing engagements in fostering effective partnerships.

“These are all possibilities, and we will be willing to work with you”, Adeniyi told the delegation led by the association’s National President, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi.

He provided the body with an update on the Nigeria Customs Service’s transformative initiatives towards enhancing trade facilitation, border security, and technology integration.

 He also highlighted several projects currently being pursued to improve operational efficiency.

The Comptroller-General confirmed his intention to attend NAGAFF’s upcoming Silver Jubilee Anniversary to recognise a significant role as a key stakeholder in Customs operations and policy implementation.

Earlier, NAGAFF’s National President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, congratulated CGC Adeniyi and his team for their contributions to national economic growth and security. 

 “Your remarkable achievements since assuming office cannot be overstated”, Chief Esizi said, assuring the CGC of NAGAFF’s active participation in the forthcoming CGC Conference, including unveiling the association’s newly acquired N500 million Secretariat.

Regarding the upcoming Silver Jubilee Anniversary, Ezisi highlighted NAGAFF’s longstanding partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service, which has spanned 25 years and formally invited CGC Adeniyi to attend the event.

The NAGAFF delegation included Chief Afam Chukwuma, Deputy National President (Seaport) and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Silver Jubilee; Igwe Kingsley, National Secretary; Princess Chi Eze, National Vice President (Western Port); and Melody Obehi, National Treasurer, among others.

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Customs Boosts AfCFTA, Facilitates First Shipment from Nigeria to Kenya

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Customs Boosts AfCFTA, Facilitates First Shipment from Nigeria to Kenya

…Olutayo commends Customs for truly working for genuine success of Nigeria’s participation 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) gave the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) meaning on Wednesday as it facilitated Nigeria’s first shipment to Kenya. Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, emerged as one of the first companies to ship goods to Kenya. 

Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Lead of Trade Enablement at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office indicated this Wednesday, 30 October 2024, during a visit to the Apapa Area Command, towards ensuring proper documentation and verification of the shipment, noting that the shipment from Nigeria to Kenya, specifically to the port of Mombasa, demonstrates the collaborative spirit of AfCFTA.

“It is not that we are doing it alone; I have already sent a message to the Secretariat in Ghana that there will be a shipment under AfCFTA to Kenya. I have also communicated with the AfCFTA implementation committee in Kenya. So this is the spirit we are building to ensure that we increase intra-African trade,” Olutayo noted.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic; they are ready to facilitate trade. Once they hear that there is an issue, particularly around AfCFTA, you will see everybody ready to support”

He emphasised the critical role of the service as the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) under AfCFTA, leveraging its expertise to ensure seamless trade.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic; they are ready to facilitate trade. Once they hear that there is an issue, particularly around AfCFTA, you will see everybody ready to support and facilitate it, which is the essence of true trade facilitation.”

Assistant Comptroller Olusola Salako, the releasing officer for Lilypond Export Command at Apapa Area Command, highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s efforts to leverage technology to ensure that AfCFTA is successful in Africa.

“The service has aligned with the mandates of the World Customs Organisation to prioritise the importance of trade. Gone are the days when we experienced issues. Today, we have a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS). With trade becoming more global, we went back to the drawing board and improved our technology, which will help us facilitate trade.

“The service is already in top gear; officers have been trained, and we have dedicated officers, senior officers, and releasing officers for this particular export procedure—not limited to AfCFTA alone—and we also have dedicated ports,” Salako concluded.

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Nigeria Customs Announces, Mourns DSC Usman who Passed on Tuesday

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Nigeria Customs Announces, Mourns DSC Usman who Passed on, Tuesday

…After a protracted illness

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has announced the death of an officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) HI USMAN, who passed on, in the early hours of today Tuesday 5 November 2024 after a protracted illness.

“We regret to announce the death of our officer,  Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) HI Usman who passed on, in the early hours of today, Tuesday 5 November 2024 after a protracted illness”, the Public Relations Officer, Adamawa/ Taraba Command, Deputy Superintendent of Customs,  NG Titus said in a statement made available to the Maritime First.

The Command described the late Usman as a very dedicated officer who prioritised his work on the Revenue seat of the command, until his demise.

“Late DSC Umar hails from Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, he was born on the 6 June 1967. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service on 1 January 1992 and was promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Customs on 1 January 2022.

In the meantime, the Customs Area Controller, GB Bashir, and his management team have commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased, praying that the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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