By Aaron Ossai
APM Terminals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Badagry Port Development Limited to explore the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport in Lagos State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Bolaji Akinola and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
The agreement was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark during a visit by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who led a Federal Government delegation to Denmark to strengthen maritime cooperation and attract investment into Nigeria’s port infrastructure.
The MoU was signed by A.P. Moller–Maersk Group Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Clerc, on behalf of APM Terminals, and the Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited, Didi Ndiomu.
Under the agreement, the parties will enter exclusive negotiations on the proposed greenfield port, with APM Terminals expressing its commitment to advancing the project.
The Badagry Deep-Seaport is expected to increase Nigeria’s deepwater port capacity, accommodate larger container vessels and create opportunities for transshipment to other West and Central African markets. It is also expected to ease pressure on existing city ports and support higher cargo volumes.
Oyetola said the Federal Government was committed to modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and creating an environment that would encourage long-term private-sector investment.
“Our engagement in Denmark underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of our blue economy,” the minister said.
He added that partnerships with global terminal operators such as APM Terminals would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of making Nigeria a major trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
During the engagement, the parties also discussed the possible extension of APM Terminals’ concessions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne.
APM Terminals’ Managing Director for Africa and Europe, Igor van den Essen, said the company was committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through long-term investment in its maritime infrastructure.
He said the development of Badagry as a greenfield port, alongside continued investment in Apapa and Onne, could improve efficiency, reduce congestion and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional trade hub.
Ndiomu described the agreement as a major step in the country’s maritime development, saying the project could help position Nigeria as a leading maritime centre in sub-Saharan Africa.
The proposed port is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s port network, improve supply-chain resilience and expand the country’s capacity to handle regional transshipment.
