In the shipping sector in Nigeria, the development of non-oil exports is constantly on the rise. APM Terminals Apapa has announced positive figures for the first half of 2024, with a notable increase in the volume of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) for non-oil exports. Terminal Manager Steen Knudsen highlighted the growing importance of these exports to the terminal’s business, saying that this upward trend has been sustained for several years.
Since 2020, non-oil exports from Nigeria have grown steadily, from 53,000 TEU in 2020 to 94,000 TEU in 2023, a significant increase of 32%. These figures are a testament to the terminal’s commitment to supporting domestic exports and contributing to the Federal Government’s objective of promoting non-oil exports.
As part of its efforts to further encourage non-oil exports, APM Terminals Apapa will hold its second exporters’ forum in September. The forum, which will be launched in 2024, is aimed at facilitating collaboration between the terminal, its export clients and shipping lines to address issues impeding the flow of exported goods to the port. The aim is to improve the efficiency and speed of the export process, especially for agricultural products whose quality can deteriorate if stored in containers for long periods of time.
Kayode Daniels, Commercial Manager, APM Terminals Apapa, emphasises the importance of feedback from exporters to improve terminal operations. This close collaboration with non-oil export stakeholders will help consolidate and optimise the port’s export process, thereby promoting the growth of domestic exports and reducing transport costs for shipowners.
In conclusion, the non-oil export sector in Nigeria is experiencing positive momentum, supported by the commitment of shipping stakeholders to facilitate the movement of exported goods. Initiatives such as the APM Terminals Apapa Exporters Forum are evidence of the desire to strengthen partnerships among industry stakeholders and contribute to the sustainable development of national exports.