NPA Moves to Address Congestion at Apapa Port, Holds Meeting with APM Terminals, Other Shipping Lines
NIGERIAN PORTS
By Our Correspondent
In a bold move to address the issue of delay in evacuating empty containers at the Apapa port, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has held a meeting with critical stakeholders.
Part of the meeting were mainly major shipping lines, including Maersk Line, Hapag Lloyd, Pacific International Lines, PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO shipping and APM Terminals (APMT).
According to the General Manager¸ Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the agenda of the meeting featured on the way of addressing the empty containers that have been causing congestion in Apapa port terminal.
During the meeting, Onyemekara disclosed that the NPA requested all the shipping lines to submit an updated list of their holding bays, including locations and capacity.
According to him, NPA had also pointed out the need to be involved in the examination of those holding bays so as to keep abreast of the potential operational challenges..
On the issue of terminal capacity at the APM Terminals, the shipping lines and the management of APMT were said to have agreed to improve on the process of making information available in respect to free pools to shipping lines to be able to guide container movement.
The shipping lines pointed out that the recent congestion was as a result of gate closure by the APMT.
But Onyemakara said the APMT management maintained that the terminal reached its full capacity as a result of more imports and exports, saying there was delay in the evacuation of cargoes by the shipping lines.
On the way forward, the General Manager said that it was resolved that the APMT should always communicate yard stock levels to the shipping lines to enable them plan.
Onyemakara said, “It was also resolved that the notification period prior to terminal gate closure should be revised as follows: five (5) days initial notice in advance; three (3) days reminder before closure and one day (1) final notice before closure.
“While it was further resolved that APMT was to engage off dock terminals by moving import containers to off dock terminals in order to create more space within the terminal, the Port Management should actively participate in the inspection and assessment of holding bays to better understand and manage capacity and operational challenges.
“While all parties acknowledged their respective responsibilities, it was agreed that better communication, timely notification and strategic use of holding bays and bonded terminals were critical to alleviating pressure on terminal capacity”.
In a bold move to address the issue of delay in evacuating empty containers at the Apapa port, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has held a meeting with critical stakeholders.
Part of the meeting were mainly major shipping lines, including Maersk Line, Hapag Lloyd, Pacific International Lines, PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO shipping and APM Terminals (APMT).
According to the General Manager¸ Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the agenda of the meeting featured on the way of addressing the empty containers that have been causing congestion in Apapa port terminal.
During the meeting, Onyemekara disclosed that the NPA requested all the shipping lines to submit an updated list of their holding bays, including locations and capacity.
According to him, NPA had also pointed out the need to be involved in the examination of those holding bays so as to keep abreast of the potential operational challenges..
On the issue of terminal capacity at the APM Terminals, the shipping lines and the management of APMT were said to have agreed to improve on the process of making information available in respect to free pools to shipping lines to be able to guide container movement.
The shipping lines pointed out that the recent congestion was as a result of gate closure by the APMT.
But Onyemakara said the APMT management maintained that the terminal reached its full capacity as a result of more imports and exports, saying there was delay in the evacuation of cargoes by the shipping lines.
On the way forward, the General Manager said that it was resolved that the APMT should always communicate yard stock levels to the shipping lines to enable them plan.
Onyemakara said, “It was also resolved that the notification period prior to terminal gate closure should be revised as follows: five (5) days initial notice in advance; three (3) days reminder before closure and one day (1) final notice before closure.
“While it was further resolved that APMT was to engage off dock terminals by moving import containers to off dock terminals in order to create more space within the terminal, the Port Management should actively participate in the inspection and assessment of holding bays to better understand and manage capacity and operational challenges.
“While all parties acknowledged their respective responsibilities, it was agreed that better communication, timely notification and strategic use of holding bays and bonded terminals were critical to alleviating pressure on terminal capacity”.
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