The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and APM Terminals Apapa have officially launched the Apapa-Ibadan standard gauge rail service for container transportation, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s logistics sector.
The new service operates between the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Container Freight Yard in Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transportation.
Speaking at the launch, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, highlighted the longstanding collaboration between NRC and APM Terminals in moving container traffic across Nigeria, previously utilizing the narrow-gauge line to Kaduna and Kano.
He noted that container transportation on the new standard gauge rail line officially commenced in September 2023, with logistics firms like Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics among the early adopters. He also revealed that two additional rail lines are nearing completion at APM Terminals Apapa, bringing the total number of standard gauge lines to three.
“This milestone marks the expansion of container traffic via standard gauge rail from APM Terminals to Moniya, Ibadan, facilitating seamless import and export operations,” Opeifa stated.
The newly launched service will operate on a fixed schedule, with train departures from Apapa on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each trip will transport up to 35 wagons, carrying either 35 forty-foot containers or 70 twenty-foot containers.
Opeifa also emphasized the economic impact of the initiative, stating that NRC moved 362,327 tons of containerized cargo in 2024 across both standard and narrow-gauge lines.
He added that the expansion aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at reducing logistics costs, improving living standards, and addressing multidimensional poverty.
Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, highlighted past challenges with the rail service, particularly unpredictable scheduling, that made cargo planning difficult for customers.
“With our revamped service, we now offer a reliable and structured schedule, departing three times a week, ensuring efficient cargo movement from Apapa to Ibadan and back,” she said.
She also announced a simplified payment system, where customers will now make payments exclusively to APM Terminals Apapa, which will handle all necessary payments to other stakeholders in the rail service supply chain.
“This initiative provides a cost-effective alternative to road transport, helping to alleviate the persistent traffic congestion in Apapa, which has significantly increased logistics costs,” Aubert-Adewuyi added.
The Chief Finance Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Courage Obadagbonyi, emphasized the multi-modal strength of Apapa Port, integrating barge, road, and rail transport for enhanced cargo handling.
“Results from our 2024 fiscal year show a 43% growth in export volumes over the last two years, underscoring the positive impact of our investment in rail logistics,” he stated.
He reaffirmed APM Terminals’ commitment to long-term sustainability, ensuring the continued efficiency of the Apapa-Ibadan rail service. He said the launch further underscores APM Terminals commitment to improving logistics services in Nigeria and active plans to further invest in the Lagos Port Complex.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Pius Akuta, praised the collaboration between NRC and APM Terminals, recognizing rail transport as the most cost-effective and safest mode for shippers to move goods nationwide.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Adebowale Lawal, as well as representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Ports Authority Police Command, importers, exporters, and other key stakeholders.
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