Post by Trade facilitator on Sept 5, 2017 8:32:51 GMT 1
Alhaji Fagboye Asooto, Managing Director, Fadshenco Nigeria Limited has predicted that the low volume of container export outside the country would continue till the 1st quarter of 2018. He also said that apart from low volume of container export, the biggest challenge for container terminal operators at present is overcapacity and underutilization.
‘’Nigeria is a big economy and there is great potential for rapid growth but the low volume experienced since the 1st quarter of 2016 will continue indefinitely’’ he said.
Asooto also disclosed that volumes are not expected to pick up before next year second quarter. ‘’Container volumes in Lagos recorded a marginal increase of about three percent in early 2017 as against an increase of 12 percent recorded in early 2016
900,000 TEUs was projected in 2015 but less than 800,000 was handled. Although the terminal now runs more efficiently than ever before with no significant waiting time for vessels to berth
‘’The ports have not had any significant waiting time for vessel to berth for the last 2 years, and vessels are now able to berth at terminal shortly after arrival at the port. The ports are now witnessing a reduction in imported/exported container dwell time due to a number of reasons, not least of which are improved systems for positioning of containers for scanning, although the sheer quality of containers requested by Nigerian customs for physical examination remains a challenge.
APM Terminals has already introduced enhancement for customers who are able to accurately nominate their containers for x-ray scanning prior to customs confirmation. If the ports management can have accurate information about which particular containers need x-ray scanning, they can easily be scanned much earlier and allow customers to take delivery of their goods several days sooner, rather than the usual system of waiting for customs to review and nominate. Also, the usefulness of multi-level container inspection facility since 2012 has increased capacity for physical inspections. Finally, the lower volumes and reduced container dwell time have eliminated the need to transfer containers to off dock facilities.
APM Terminal Apapa is the busiest container terminal in West Africa sub-region. With an investment of 200 million dollar in equipment and upgrades at Apapa since 2006, APM Terminals has eliminated the vessel waiting times up to 40 days or more common in the past and other improvements have been implemented, raising productivity from 6 moves per hour to the current stages.
Operational standards at the terminal, according to experts, have reached parity with European facility operations.
‘’Nigeria is a big economy and there is great potential for rapid growth but the low volume experienced since the 1st quarter of 2016 will continue indefinitely’’ he said.
Asooto also disclosed that volumes are not expected to pick up before next year second quarter. ‘’Container volumes in Lagos recorded a marginal increase of about three percent in early 2017 as against an increase of 12 percent recorded in early 2016
900,000 TEUs was projected in 2015 but less than 800,000 was handled. Although the terminal now runs more efficiently than ever before with no significant waiting time for vessels to berth
‘’The ports have not had any significant waiting time for vessel to berth for the last 2 years, and vessels are now able to berth at terminal shortly after arrival at the port. The ports are now witnessing a reduction in imported/exported container dwell time due to a number of reasons, not least of which are improved systems for positioning of containers for scanning, although the sheer quality of containers requested by Nigerian customs for physical examination remains a challenge.
APM Terminals has already introduced enhancement for customers who are able to accurately nominate their containers for x-ray scanning prior to customs confirmation. If the ports management can have accurate information about which particular containers need x-ray scanning, they can easily be scanned much earlier and allow customers to take delivery of their goods several days sooner, rather than the usual system of waiting for customs to review and nominate. Also, the usefulness of multi-level container inspection facility since 2012 has increased capacity for physical inspections. Finally, the lower volumes and reduced container dwell time have eliminated the need to transfer containers to off dock facilities.
APM Terminal Apapa is the busiest container terminal in West Africa sub-region. With an investment of 200 million dollar in equipment and upgrades at Apapa since 2006, APM Terminals has eliminated the vessel waiting times up to 40 days or more common in the past and other improvements have been implemented, raising productivity from 6 moves per hour to the current stages.
Operational standards at the terminal, according to experts, have reached parity with European facility operations.
