APM Terminals Apapa on Wednesday said the construction of the new standard gauge by the federal government would make its supply chain eco-friendly.
The Terminal Manager, Mr Steen Knudsen, said with the standard gauge, the terminal would be able to move more cargoes in one go, provide a cost-efficient means of moving cargoes inland from the port.
Knudsen, who made this known during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, noted that that was also part of efforts of the terminal to support the Nigerian economy.
According to Knudsen, APM Terminals is a global terminal operator that has deployed international best practices in facilitating trade in Nigeria.
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“While a narrow-gauge railway line connecting Kano is in operation at the terminal, the construction of the new standard gauge line by the federal government will further enhance the delivery of cargoes through the rail.
“Once the Standard Gauge becomes operational, we are hopeful that a lot more cargoes will move on the rail, which will also help our green agenda because moving cargoes on rail is much more environmentally friendly than by trucks,” Knudsen said.
He pointed out that the terminal in the past year had made much effort to incorporate environmentally friendly policies in its operations.
“A few months ago, it had collaborated with Free Recycle Ltd., to recycle the terminals’ worn-out tyres into paving tiles.
“Its latest environmentally friendly venture is the conversion of single used plastic into reflective coveralls,” he said.
Knudsen said some of the terminals’ investments were also in the area of trade facilitation.
“We are using global best practices to introduce digitalised products to ensure that importers and exporters enjoy a seamless service at the terminal.
“A berthing window has also been provided at the terminal for both deep sea vessels as well as barges, to help create more efficient flows of containers, thereby removing costs and waste from the supply chain.
“In addition to that, we continue to expand our barging traffic so we can also penetrate the areas both east and west of the terminal and ensure that our customers can take possession of their cargoes in areas that are closer to their warehouses,” he said.
Knudsen, while describing the terminal as world class facility said it meant that shipping lines that came into the country got a consistent and cost-efficient service.
“For the Nigerian importers and exporters, it means our efficiency on the waterfront allows us to be very cost efficient in terms of facilitating their trade into the market.
“It is also important for the terminal to continuously focus on customer-centricity and to continuously focus on creating a consistent and safe environment.
“For our employees, being a world-class facility means we are the preferred employer; we continuously offer best facilities and safe operations to ensure they have long-term employment with us; develop themselves and go home safely at the end of the day,” he said.
He added that aside its investment in equipment, APM Terminals Apapa was also investing heavily in its people, its workforce, in terms of training, career progression and also in terms of expanding the business.
Source: NAN
