NSC Engages CMA CGM, APM Terminals, Says Stakeholder Collaboration Key to Port Growth

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed that sustained engagement with port service providers is critical to unlocking growth and driving development across Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, made this known during a courtesy visit to CMA CGM in Apapa, Lagos, led by the Council’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Pius Akutah.
Shema stressed that closer collaboration with operators would play a vital role in achieving the Federal Government’s one-trillion-dollar economy target, noting that efficient port operations remain central to economic expansion.
He urged terminal operators to prioritize and fast-track the clearance of power-related cargo, warning that delays could stall critical investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector. According to him, inefficiencies and bottlenecks in cargo clearance could significantly undermine ongoing efforts to improve power supply nationwide. Highlighting the importance of seamless logistics, the NSC chairman called for improved coordination across the maritime value chain, emphasizing that adherence to project timelines depends heavily on port efficiency.

He added that enhanced operational performance would not only boost trade volumes but also increase government revenue.
Speaking during the visit, NSC Executive Secretary, Dr. Pius Akutah, commended terminal operators for their ongoing modernization initiatives, which he said have led to improved cargo handling and faster vessel turnaround times.
Akutah noted that export volumes have recorded notable growth—reaching up to 30 percent in some terminals—an indication of Nigeria’s gradual shift toward a more balanced trade structure.
He explained that the visits formed part of the Council’s oversight function to assess service delivery standards among shipping companies and terminal operators.
In their separate remarks, the Managing Director of CMA CGM, Hinelder Ferreira, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to efficient operations through digitalization, while the Managing Director of APM Terminals, Kamal Alhraishat, highlighted the firm’s long-term investment strategy driven by continuous technological and operational upgrades.