ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, has stated that Nigeria’s maritime sector is showing strong resilience and gaining momentum, with a sharp rise in export volumes positioning the country as an emerging player in global trade.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Klinke made this known in Abuja while speaking at the opening of the Blue Economy Investment Summit.
He pointed to a notable increase in export activities, attributing the growth to Nigeria’s strategic reforms and investments, which he said are beginning to deliver measurable outcomes despite growing uncertainty in the global maritime industry.
Klinke observed that while global shipping continues to face disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions and shifting trade routes, “Nigeria has maintained forward progress, particularly in its push to expand non-oil exports.”
He cited the Nigerian Ports Authority’s third quarter 2025 report, noting that it revealed export-laden container volumes surged by an impressive 1,085 per cent, highlighting the scale of transformation within Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
According to him, the growth is driven by “deliberate policy measures and operational improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing bottlenecks,” with key initiatives including the rollout of the National Single Window, a centralised digital platform designed to streamline import and export processes.
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“The initiative is expected to cut cargo clearance timelines dramatically, from several weeks to as little as 48 hours, thereby improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets,” he stated.
Despite ongoing global challenges such as rising freight costs, extended shipping routes, and higher insurance premiums, Klinke stressed that Nigeria’s export growth demonstrates a sector responding positively to reforms.
However, he cautioned that without sustained coordination and intervention, external pressures could still threaten the country’s diversification efforts. He added that the terminal has aligned its operations to support and take advantage of the upward trend in exports.
“The company has invested more than $600m in its Nigerian terminals, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and infrastructure upgrades to facilitate smoother cargo movement. These investments are already contributing to export growth,” he stated.
Klinke highlighted specific operational measures, including the establishment of a dedicated Container Freight Station in Onne, the introduction of exclusive export lanes at Apapa to minimise delays, and the launch of a thrice-weekly rail service connecting Apapa Port to Moniya in Ibadan.
He noted that the rail link is enhancing the speed and reliability of transporting export cargo from inland production centres to the ports.
He emphasised that these initiatives are crucial for sustaining the current momentum in export volumes, especially as global trade patterns continue to evolve.
“With East–West Africa trade volumes having risen by more than 30 per cent in 2025, now the fastest-growing container trade corridor globally, Nigeria is well positioned to capture a larger share of this growth if it continues to strengthen its maritime infrastructure and logistics systems,” Klinke continued.
He also stressed the need for consistent regulatory reforms and ongoing port modernisation to support export expansion.
He called for deeper channel drafts to accommodate larger vessels, full integration of digital systems across the port ecosystem, and improved multimodal transport networks to ensure seamless cargo movement.
Klinke added that reducing cargo dwell times and simplifying documentation processes would lower the cost of doing business while boosting Nigeria’s credibility in international trade and enhancing export competitiveness.
He concluded that Nigeria’s maritime sector is at a pivotal stage, where sustained alignment between policy, infrastructure investment, and execution could unlock even greater export potential.
“With the private sector ready to invest, he said the priority must be to ensure predictable regulations, accelerated digitisation, and efficient trade corridors that enable Nigeria to fully realise its export potential and establish itself as a leading maritime hub in West Africa,” he concluded.