To enhance shipping services in Eastern Nigeria, the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) operated by APM Terminals Nigeria, has partnered with global shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd to launch a new weekly service at Onne Port in Rivers State. The collaboration is expected to directly link East Nigeria to global trade routes and improve cargo movement in the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, WACT-APMT Nigeria described the partnership as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sector and making Onne Port a more strategic trade hub. The statement added that the move will improve vessel capacity, shorten transit times, and bring greater schedule reliability to importers and exporters operating from Eastern Nigeria.
Frederik Klinke, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, said the launch of Hapag-Lloyd’s services at Onne marks a significant development in opening up East Nigeria to international shipping. He noted that this partnership signals strong confidence in the potential of the Eastern Nigerian market.
“This is an important milestone for us in Eastern Nigeria. We believe strongly in this market and have invested over $115 million in the past year to boost capacity and ease trade in the region,” Klinke stated.
He explained that the new shipping line means new opportunities for businesses in the East, from exporters and importers to logistics companies and traders. “What we’re doing here is unlocking trade potential. A new shipping line means new services, access to new goods, and opportunities to explore export markets,” he said.
Jeethu Jose, Managing Director of WACT-APMT Nigeria, expressed optimism about the future of the partnership. He stated that the deal reflects growing trust and confidence in WACT from global shipping networks. “Today is a big day for WACT and APM Terminals. Hapag-Lloyd coming on board confirms that we are on the right path to offering world-class service,” Jose said.
Jose added that the support of stakeholders, including government agencies and port users, is vital in building a terminal that meets international standards. “With this trust, we will continue to deliver top-notch service and attract even more global partnerships,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Himmat Ahlawat, Country Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd, said Nigeria remains a top priority for the company in Africa. He described Eastern Nigeria as a key location for their operations, noting that excellent customer service is the company’s core goal.
“We cannot ignore Eastern Nigeria if we truly want to grow in this region. We see Nigeria as one of our most important markets, and our top priority is to offer unmatched customer service. Without satisfied customers, we cannot exist,” Ahlawat stated.
Port Manager of Onne Port, Raymond Abdulrahman, described the new service as one of the most significant achievements for WACT and the Nigerian Ports Authority. He said the arrival of Hapag-Lloyd would increase port activities and support the government’s goal of making Nigerian ports more competitive.
“This is a major milestone. The Nigerian Ports Authority is happy to work with WACT and Hapag-Lloyd. Adding another major liner to Onne means growth for the region and the country,” Abdulrahman said.
WACT-APM Terminals is Nigeria’s first greenfield container terminal developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Located in the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State, the terminal is positioning itself as a major logistics and trade gateway to Eastern Nigeria and Central Africa. With modern equipment and a customer-first approach, the terminal has become a preferred destination for businesses looking for efficient and reliable port services.
The addition of Hapag-Lloyd to Onne’s shipping roster is expected to draw more commercial traffic to the port and reduce the over-reliance on Lagos ports. Industry stakeholders say it is a positive development that could ease congestion in Apapa and Tin Can ports, improve trade timelines, and reduce costs for businesses in the East.
