NPA, stakeholders meet over port congestion

Following public outcry over delayed evacuation of empty containers causing yard congestion at APM Terminals, Apapa, the Nigerian Ports Authority convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting. NPA spokesman Ikechukwu Onyemekara disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. He said NPA managing director Abubakar Dantsoho called the meeting to address operational challenges and ensure efficient port activities at APM Terminals, Apapa. The meeting included major shipping lines and APM Terminals to discuss the issues and develop effective solutions to enhance container handling operations. Mr Onyemekara noted that the shipping lines present affirmed they have holding bays, a requirement for NPA licence renewal, which are routinely inspected by NPA teams. He stated that the NPA requested a detailed list from all shipping lines indicating their holding bay locations and storage capacities.
The port management also stressed the importance of participating in holding bay inspections to anticipate operational challenges and improve oversight. Regarding APM Terminals’ capacity, shipping lines said APMT normally shared information on available free pools to guide container movement decisions. They attributed the recent congestion to simultaneous gate closures by APMT, which disrupted container evacuation and compounded yard congestion. However, APMT argued that the congestion resulted from a surge in import and export volumes, alongside shipping lines’ delayed container evacuation. On resolutions reached, Mr Onyemekara said APMT must now regularly share yard stock updates with shipping lines to improve planning and coordination.
“Additionally, it was agreed that gate closure notices must now follow this schedule: five days initial notice, three days reminder, and one day final notice. The meeting also resolved that APMT should move import containers to off-dock terminals to ease pressure within the main terminal yard. NPA will actively inspect holding bays to better understand operational capacities and support efficient container management. All parties agreed that improved communication, timely notices, and better use of holding bays and bonded terminals are key to reducing terminal congestion,” Mr Onyemekara said. Port manager at the Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, highlighted the urgent need for better coordination among port stakeholders to address the rising congestion challenge.
APMT clarified that shipping lines are responsible for managing empty container evacuation and vessel loading, not the terminal.
APM Terminals Apapa manager, Steen Knudsen, said rising import volumes had forced shipping lines to prioritise discharging imports over evacuating empties. Mr Knudsen stated this operational shift led to a build-up of empty containers, severely reducing available yard space. “As a result, APM Terminals Apapa has temporarily restricted the reception of new empty containers until current stock is cleared,” Mr Knudsen said. Mr Onyemekara confirmed the meeting, convened by the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, included major lines such as Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO, and APMT. (NAN)