By Sandra Chukwunyere
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged freight forwarders to take advantage of cargo positioning slots on weekends and Mondays to speed up cargo evacuation and reduce congestion at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
The advice followed the suspension of the association’s planned withdrawal of services and industrial action after a series of meetings between NAGAFF’s 100% Compliance Team and the management of APM Terminals (APMT).
The outcome of the discussions was contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday by the National Coordinator of the 100% Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko.
According to the communiqué, both parties reached several resolutions aimed at improving terminal operations and making cargo handling more efficient.
One of the key decisions was that the terminal would no longer extend deadlines for cargo positioning, while the existing allocation of 200 containers for daily positioning would remain unchanged.
To make the best use of available capacity, freight forwarders were advised to increase their bookings during weekends and Mondays, periods considered less congested, to facilitate faster cargo movement.
The communiqué noted that the recommendation forms part of broader efforts to reduce operational delays and improve service delivery at Nigeria’s busiest container terminal.
It also highlighted the challenges facing APM Terminals, noting that the Apapa Port handles more vessel traffic than any other port in the West African sub-region, placing enormous pressure on its infrastructure and container storage facilities.
The communiqué further noted that the shortage of space for imported containers remains a major operational challenge, stressing that APMT can only operate within the land allocated to it by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
«”The Nigerian Ports Authority allocated the present space occupied by APM Terminals. The terminal cannot appropriate more space to itself,” the communiqué stated.»
To ensure prompt resolution of future operational issues, both parties agreed to maintain regular stakeholder engagements and strengthen collaboration across the port community.
They also resolved that any cargo-related alert issued by a government agency should be channelled through the Cargo Advisory Committee (CAC) to improve coordination and minimise disruptions.
Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director of APM Terminals, Mr. Karmal Alhraishat, assured stakeholders that management would continue to address operational challenges and improve service delivery. Alhraishat, who assumed office about three months ago, pledged prompt attention to issues affecting terminal operations.
The agreement effectively ends the dispute that prompted NAGAFF to announce plans to withdraw services over operational concerns at the terminal.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that the resolutions would improve cargo evacuation, ease congestion at the Apapa Port, and strengthen collaboration between freight forwarders and APM Terminals, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency at Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
