TUE SEPT 08 2026-theGBJournal| APM Terminals has reaffirmed its commitment to further investment in Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, as the company moves to extend its port concessions at Apapa and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, while advancing plans for a new deepwater port at Badagry.
The developments followed a visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Honourable Adegboyega Oyetola, and his delegation to Denmark. During the visit, APM Terminals and the Nigerian delegation discussed the extension of the company’s existing port concessions.
The talks also culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Badagry greenfield port project.
The MoU, signed in Copenhagen by Vincent Clerc, Group CEO of A.P. Moller–Maersk, on behalf of APM Terminals, and Didi Ndiomu, Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Ltd and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Ltd, commits the parties to exclusive negotiations on the project.
The proposed deepwater port could strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading gateway to West Africa by allowing larger container vessels to call directly at the country’s shores, creating new transshipment opportunities while improving supply-chain resilience and supporting long-term trade growth.
APM Terminals said it remains committed to carrying forward the development of Badagry.
“APM Terminals is keen to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and position as a trade hub in West Africa. We believe further investing long-term in our concessions in Apapa and Onne helps doing that, and we were pleased to have a constructive dialogue about this today.
Additionally, developing Badagry as a greenfield project will further ease congestions in city ports and further open new opportunities,” says Igor van den Essen, Managing Director of Africa & Europe for APM Terminals, part of the A. P. Moller – Maersk group.
The signing came against the backdrop of Minister Oyetola’s visit to Denmark, which included meetings with senior representatives of the Danish government and the wider Danish maritime sector.
“APM Terminals is encouraged by the Nigerian government’s ambition to expand trade, attract investment, and strengthen the country’s position as a leading maritime gateway in West Africa, and we are proud to play a part in that ambition.
We strongly believe that public-private partnerships help us deliver results that support growth because they drive long-term investment, a better business environment and, thereby, competitiveness in a rapidly developing market,” says Igor van den Essen.
Mr Didi Ndiomu added “Investing in maritime infrastructure and especially in Badagry as a greenfield port project together with APM Terminals is the beginning of Nigeria becoming the true maritime capital of sub-Saharan Africa in full alignment with the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambitious maritime growth strategy.”
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