AP Moller's Lagos container terminal set to handle 720,000 TEU this year

AP MOLLER Terminals Apapa Limited, the operator of the Apapa Container Terminal at the Lagos Port Complex in Nigeria, forecasts the facility will handle 720,000 TEU this year, up from 650,000 TEU last year.

The terminal operator has raised concerns about the high cost of generating electricity for the terminal, which has prompted the company to make investments to ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply, reported the Lagos WorldStage newspaper.

Since APM Terminals took over operation of the Apapa Container Terminal in March 2006 it has invested over US$200 million in modernising and upgrading the terminal. An additional $130 million is earmarked for further expansion of the terminal.

The terminal has 10 new rubber tyre gantry (RTG) cranes on order that are described as being the most fuel-efficient and environment-friendly available.

According to managing director Dallas Hampton, the Apapa Container Terminal is now the largest mobile harbour crane-operated terminal and the largest container terminal in West Africa.

"With the investment that we have planned, the terminal will soon become one of the most productive mobile harbour crane terminals in the world," Mr Hampton said.

He added that safety of workers remains a top priority at the terminal, "We have very few people on ground and we're working on having fewer people on ground at the terminal all geared at ensuring safety."