NPA Moves to End Empty Container Gridlock at Apapa Port

NPA’s Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho

In a bid to tackle the worsening congestion at APM Terminals, Apapa, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has convened a strategic meeting with major shipping lines and terminal operators to address delays in the evacuation of empty containers and improve overall port efficiency.

The meeting, held on June 4, 2025, was initiated by the Port Manager of the Lagos Port Complex, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, and included top representatives from Maersk Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Pacific International Lines (PIL), CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, and APM Terminals.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said the meeting was in line with the commitment of NPA’s Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, to ensure seamless port operations devoid of operational bottlenecks.

According to Onyemekara, the shipping lines present affirmed that they all operate holding bays, a requirement for license renewal by the NPA. He added that the authority routinely inspects these facilities through its Headquarters Operations Team to ensure compliance.

As part of the new measures, the port management directed shipping lines to submit detailed inventories of their holding bays—including locations and capacity—to enhance oversight and operational planning.

On the issue of congestion at APM Terminals, shipping companies explained that the terminal operator usually communicates available “free pool” space to guide container returns. However, they blamed the recent bottleneck on an uncoordinated simultaneous gate closure by APMT, which disrupted container movement across all lines.

In response, APM Terminals stated that the congestion was caused by a surge in import and export volumes, coupled with delays by shipping lines in evacuating containers from the terminal. The operator maintained that the facility had reached full capacity, leading to operational strain.

Key Resolutions Reached
Following robust deliberations, several action points were agreed upon to decongest the terminal and improve coordination:

• APM Terminals will now provide regular updates on yard stock levels to all shipping lines to support better planning.
• A structured notification schedule will guide future terminal gate closures—starting with a five-day notice, followed by a three-day reminder, and a final one-day alert.
• Import containers will be moved to off-dock terminals to free up space at the main facility.
• The NPA and port management will intensify participation in holding bay inspections to monitor capacity and resolve operational constraints.

“All parties acknowledged their respective responsibilities and the need for improved communication, strategic deployment of holding bays, and optimal use of bonded terminals,” Onyemekara noted.

Port Manager Adebowale Lawal underscored the urgency of enhanced collaboration between terminal operators, shipping lines, and NPA to mitigate the recurring issue of terminal gridlock caused by the accumulation of empty containers.

Clarifying Responsibility
In response to reports alleging that APM Terminals was refusing to receive empty containers, the terminal operator clarified that shipping lines are solely responsible for managing their empty containers and scheduling returns for vessel evacuation.

APM Terminals Apapa Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, recently attributed the pile-up to a spike in import volumes, which forced shipping lines to prioritize the discharge of laden containers over the evacuation of empties.

“As a result of this accumulation, APM Terminals Apapa has had to temporarily restrict the reception of additional empty containers until the existing stock is cleared,” Knudsen explained.

The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to improve operational efficiency at Nigeria’s seaports and ensure that terminal congestion does not undermine trade facilitation and maritime productivity.

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