Shippers’ Council engages CMA CGM, APM Terminals on port efficiency

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has stressed that sustained engagement with shipping companies and terminal operators is critical to unlocking development in Nigeria’s ports and enhancing overall trade efficiency.

Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, made the assertion during a courtesy visit to CMA CGM in Apapa, Lagos, led by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah.

Shema noted that service providers remain central to achieving the Federal Government’s economic targets, including the ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

“Continuous engagement with service providers will open new doors for development in our ports and strengthen the entire maritime value chain,” he said.

The NSC Chairman urged port operators to prioritise the clearance of power-related cargo, warning that delays could negatively impact ongoing investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

He emphasised that efficient port operations are essential for the timely delivery of critical infrastructure, particularly equipment required for power generation and transmission.

“Delays in cargo clearance, especially for power projects, can slow down national development efforts. Seamless logistics must be prioritised to meet project timelines,” Shema stated.

He also called for improved policy coordination across the maritime value chain, noting that eliminating bottlenecks would boost trade volumes and government revenue.

NSC Commends Modernisation Efforts

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, commended shipping companies and terminal operators for ongoing investments in modernisation and digitalisation.

According to him, these efforts have significantly improved cargo handling efficiency and vessel turnaround times at Nigerian ports.

“We are seeing encouraging growth in export volumes, with some operators recording increases of up to 30 per cent. This points to a more balanced trade mix and improved competitiveness,” he said.

Akutah explained that the visits were part of the Council’s broader efforts to assess operational performance, identify challenges, and strengthen collaboration with key industry players.

Responding, the Managing Director of CMA CGM, Hinelder Ferreira, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to efficient service delivery, noting that digitalised processes have enhanced operational performance.

Similarly, the Managing Director of APM Terminals, Kamal Alhraishat, highlighted the company’s long-term investment strategy, attributing its progress to sustained infrastructure upgrades and digital transformation.

Driving Growth Through Collaboration

R-L: Shema, Akutah interacting with some of the stakeholders

The engagement with CMA CGM and APM Terminals underscores the NSC’s strategy of deepening collaboration with industry stakeholders to improve port efficiency, facilitate trade, and drive economic growth.

Stakeholders say sustained dialogue between regulators and operators will be key to addressing operational challenges and positioning Nigeria’s ports as competitive hubs within the region.