APM Terminals records highest export volume in 20 years at Lagos Apapa Port
APM Terminals, the Danish port operator and largest concessionaire at Nigeria’s Apapa Port in Lagos, has achieved its highest monthly export volume since it began operations in the country nearly two decades ago.
In an official announcement released over the weekend, the company disclosed that it processed 8,687 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of export cargo in April 2025. This figure marks the terminal’s highest monthly total since it commenced operations in 2006, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The surge in exports is largely attributed to agricultural produce including cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and rubber, all of which remain in strong demand across markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In addition to these, the terminal also handles solid minerals and manufactured goods, reinforcing its position as a vital hub for Nigeria’s non-oil export trade.
Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, linked the significant growth to a series of recent upgrades in operations. Among these was the introduction of a new rail service in February, which is intended to expedite cargo movement from inland locations to the port.
“We have also increased our export yard capacity and introduced dedicated truck lanes. These steps have simplified export logistics, reduced waiting times at the terminal, and ensured vessels can depart on schedule,” Knudsen explained.
Knudsen further noted the wider economic implications of the milestone, pointing out that fully loaded vessels departing Nigerian ports contribute positively to the national trade outlook.
“It benefits Nigerian exporters when ships leave our ports with maximum cargo. Preventing ships from sailing out empty helps to stabilise shipping costs into Nigeria and creates a more balanced trade flow,” he added.
The terminal has been recording consistent growth in export volumes over the past four years. In 2022, it processed 53,807 TEUs. This rose to 70,432 TEUs in 2023, and further to 77,631 TEUs in 2024, indicating a strong upward trajectory in Nigeria’s export capacity through Apapa.
