By Andrew Utulu
L- R: Former Chairman, Onne Port Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents( ANLCA), Mike Ebeatu; Head of Legal, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, Chester Odagwe; Chairman, Organizing Committee of the Maritime Industry Merit Award, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; General Manager, Government and Public Relations of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, Innocent Ogbuji and the Chairman, Onne Port Chapter of ANLCA, Ifeanyi Isikaku, when WACT received the Most Outstanding Terminal Operator Award at the 27th Maritime Industry Merit Award held in Lagos.
West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)–APM Terminals Nigeria, located at Onne Port in Rivers State, has been honoured as the most outstanding Terminal Operator of the Year 2024.
This was announced at the 27th edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards.
The prestigious event took place on Tuesday at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Maritime Industry Merit Awards is an annual platform that celebrates excellence, innovation, and outstanding contributions from stakeholders within Nigeria’s maritime industry. This year’s theme, “Rewards of Excellence,” underscored the importance of performance-driven leadership and sustained sectoral growth.
Other award recipients at the event include the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho and the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, among others.
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, a subsidiary of global ports and terminal operator APM Terminals, has established itself as a vital logistics hub for Nigeria’s import and export activities, particularly in the eastern corridor.
Operating within the Oil and Gas Free Zone at Onne Port, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria is Nigeria’s first greenfield container terminal developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Since commencing operations in 2006, it has made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and workforce development—resulting in consistently high levels of operational efficiency and service delivery.
Receiving the award, Innocent Ogbuji, General Manager, Government and Public Relations at WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, described the recognition as a validation of the terminal’s drive for excellence.
“This recognition is a testament to WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to upgrading both our terminal and our people. We have deployed cutting-edge equipment and digital solutions that continue to boost our operational efficiency. We remain focused on continuous improvement in order to stay competitive within and beyond Nigeria,” Ogbuji said.
He also expressed gratitude to the organizers for recognizing the terminal’s contribution to the industry.
Also speaking, Jeethu Jose, Managing Director of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, emphasized the company’s commitment to excellence and its role in advancing Nigeria’s port infrastructure.
“This award is a strong validation of the dedication, hard work, and strategic investments we have made to transform WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria into a world-class terminal. We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Our goal remains to support Nigeria’s trade and industrial development through innovation, efficiency, and sustainable practices,” Jose stated.
The Most Outstanding Terminal Operator award adds to a growing list of accolades WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has received in recent months. In 2024, the terminal was honored with the Comptroller General of Customs Award as the “Best Terminal Operator” in Nigeria—highlighting the terminal operator’s exceptional performance and its substantial contribution to port development. Additionally, in February 2025, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria was presented with the Special Economic Zones Industry Pacesetter Award by the Nigerian Economic Zones Authority (NEZA), further reinforcing its leadership position in the logistics and trade facilitation space.
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria’s continued transformation was also marked by the launch of a comprehensive USD115 million terminal upgrade project, inaugurated in 2024 by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima. The project includes extensive yard expansion, acquisition of state-of-the-art container handling equipment, and the construction of a modern administrative complex. These investments are geared toward aligning WACT’s capabilities with global port standards and supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification goals.
Today, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria stands as the most efficient gateway for cargo handling outside Lagos, serving as a strategic trade hub for Eastern Nigeria and the broader West African region.
