Terminal operator engages shippers on rail connection

APM Terminals Apapa has engaged the agricultural commodities importers and exporters to better understand their logistics challenges and needs and share the benefits of the Apapa-Moniya rail connection.

Announcing this in a statement on Wednesday, the terminal operator added that it also engaged the Oyo State Government through one of the special advisers to the governor, Tilewa Folami.

The terminal explained that the journey began with a rail trip from Ebute-Metta to Moniya, followed by an assessment of the Moniya rail terminal.

Speaking during the event, the terminal manager of APMT, Apapa, Steen Knudsen, stated that the vision behind the Apapa-Moniya rail product launch is to open Nigeria’s hinterland, making it easily accessible to international trade.

“This is especially critical for agricultural commodities that are perishable and require scheduled logistics service that is reliable and predictable. This would greatly improve the business prospects for importers and exporters in the hinterland that require a fixed, reliable rail schedule to get their commodities to Apapa port,” he said.

Earlier, the Denmark Consul General and Trade Counsellor, Jette Bjerrum, highlighted Denmark’s extensive commercial activities in Nigeria, focusing on improving the agricultural value chain.

“Denmark aims to support local interests in the export, agricultural, energy, and livestock sectors, with government approval for cold chain initiatives to enhance market support,” she said.

The special adviser, Tilewa Folami, discussed the state’s plans for industrialisation and agricultural consolidation.

He highlighted the importance of the Apapa-Moniya rail service for logistics planning to avoid traffic congestion, stressing that the area is set to host a new city and the largest market in West Africa in collaboration with France.

“It would help if APM Terminals shared data on the progress of the rail service with us, with weekly and monthly updates. Additionally, it would be great if you could establish an office in Moniya to handle customer enquiries,” Folami stated.

APM Terminals Apapa had last month, in collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, flagged off the Apapa-Moniya Rail service, which departs from Lagos thrice weekly, delivering and evacuating cargo in and out of the port.