‘Nigeria’s export surge signals maritime sector growth’

The Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, highlighted Nigeria’s maritime sector resilience and momentum at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja. Klinke noted a dramatic surge in export volumes, positioning Nigeria as an emerging force in global trade, despite global maritime industry uncertainty. He attributed this to Nigeria’s strategic reforms and investments, which are yielding tangible results. Klinke referenced the Nigerian Ports Authority’s third quarter 2025 report, showing export-laden container volumes surged by 1,085 percent. He linked this growth to deliberate policy measures and operational improvements, including the National Single Window, a digital platform designed to streamline import and export processes and cut cargo clearance times. APM Terminals has invested over $600 million in its Nigerian terminals, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and infrastructure upgrades. Klinke pointed to targeted operational strategies such as a dedicated Container Freight Station at Onne, exclusive export lanes at Apapa, and a thrice-weekly rail service linking Apapa Port to Moniya in Ibadan. He stressed that these measures are critical for sustaining export momentum, especially with East–West Africa trade volumes rising by over 30 percent in 2025. Klinke underscored the importance of consistent regulatory reforms, advancing port modernization, deeper channel drafts, full integration of digital systems, and improved multimodal transpor