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The nation’s biggest container terminal operator, APM Terminals Apapa has attributed its inability to receive empty containers to a recent import surge at Lagos ports which has seen shipping lines place more priority on discharging cargoes.
APM Terminals made this disclosure in response to recent concerns surrounding the congestion of empty containers at its terminal in a bid to set the record straight on the root causes of the situation at the seaport terminal.
While assuring stakeholders of its continued professionalism, service efficiency, and close collaboration with relevant parties to resolve the issue promptly, APM Terminals Apapa Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, said due to a sharp and sustained surge in import cargo volumes over recent weeks, shipping lines have had to prioritize discharging incoming laden containers over evacuating empties.
He stated that the insinuations suggesting that APM Terminals Apapa is not receiving empty containers and allegedly contributing to yard congestion, is false.
The terminal operator maintained that the management of empty container evacuation into the terminal – and subsequent shipment onto vessels – is the exclusive responsibility of shipping lines, which own and control all containers.
His words: “This operational shift has resulted in a growing inventory of empty containers within the terminal, significantly limiting yard space.
“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 by the shipping lines.
“We recognize the impact this may have on truck operators, consignees, and landside logistics, and we are actively engaging the shipping lines and relevant government authorities to expedite vessel evacuation of empty containers.”
The Terminal Manager emphasized that the development is not due to a failure in terminal operations, but rather a systemic issue stemming from the imbalance in container traffic.
“Shipping lines play a key role in ensuring containers are loaded out as empties once they are returned. Unfortunately, the high volume of imports is tipping that balance. We are committed to doing everything within our operational capacity to support the clearing of this backlog,” the statement added.
APM Terminals Apapa appealed to landside customers, truck operators, and other stakeholders to kindly bear with the temporary restrictions and delays in receiving empties, while assuring them that every effort is being made to normalize the situation.
