In an event set to reshape the landscape of Nigerian maritime logistics, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will officially commission the newly upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State on Wednesday (today). This state-of-the-art facility, operated by APM Terminals, stands as Nigeria’s largest and most efficient container terminal outside Lagos and represents a pivotal advancement in the nation’s port infrastructure.
The ambitious $115 million (approximately N178.2 billion) upgrade project, initiated in 2021, underscores the commitment of APM Terminals and its partners to enhancing Nigeria’s maritime capabilities. The Managing Director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, emphasized the transformative impact of this upgrade, highlighting it as a historic moment for the Nigerian port sector.
“We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the upgrade of our terminal at Onne Port. This development is set to be a game-changer for Nigeria, and we’re thoroughly excited about the future it heralds,” Jose remarked. “The fresh investment of $115 million is not only a testament to the trust and confidence that APM Terminals has in the Nigerian economy but also contributes significantly to our overarching mission of improving lives globally while fostering trade.”
The West Africa Container Terminal has a distinguished place in Nigeria’s maritime history as the first greenfield container terminal developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Strategically located within the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State, WACT has grown into the premier gateway for trade, extending beyond the Lagos region and serving as a vital conduit for the economic activities flourishing in Eastern Nigeria.
This terminal’s capabilities were dramatically demonstrated on August 15, 2020, when it made headlines by accommodating the largest container vessel ever to berth at any Nigerian port. The vessel, Maersk Stadelhorn, measures an impressive 300 meters in length overall and 48.2 meters in beam, with a capacity to carry approximately 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of containers. This event not only highlighted the terminal’s enhanced operational capacity but also its critical role in facilitating large-scale trade, bolstering Nigeria’s standing in the global shipping industry.
The commissioning ceremony is expected to attract a host of high-profile dignitaries, reflecting the project’s significance. Among the expected attendees are Governors, Ministers, and heads of key government agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA). Representatives from major shipping companies, freight forwarding associations, as well as importers and exporters, will also be present, underscoring the broad support and anticipation surrounding this development.
The WACT terminal upgrade is poised to drive substantial economic growth, not just for the local economy of Rivers State but for Nigeria as a whole. By increasing the efficiency and capacity of Nigeria’s ports, the upgraded terminal will play a crucial role in decongesting the overburdened Lagos ports, thereby streamlining trade routes and reducing the costs associated with shipping delays. Moreover, this development aligns with the federal government’s broader economic agenda to diversify and strengthen the nation’s non-oil sectors by improving critical infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the challenges of an evolving global trade environment, the upgraded WACT terminal at Onne represents a beacon of progress. It stands as a clear signal to the international community that Nigeria is ready to meet the demands of modern global trade and is committed to building a resilient and prosperous future.
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