Nigerian Ports Authority halts container release at Apapa port due to congestion
By Kasim Isa Muhammad
Kanempress News
30th October 2024
Reports gathered by kanempress say that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has temporarily suspended the release of cleared cargoes from the Apapa Port Complex (APC) based on congestion issues currently affecting the port.
According to Kanempress, this development is expected to impact logistics, the supply chain, and the overall efficiency of cargo movement in and out of the busiest ports.
In an official notice to the trucking sector of the maritime industry, the traffic management firm responsible for coordinating the movement of trucks along the Apapa port corridor, Truck Transit Parks, TTP announced the halt in truck releases from the Lagos Port Complex’s pre-gate area.
According to Kanempress, the notice attributed the decision to the ongoing severe congestion there.
It said that the port’s management is closely monitoring the congestion to determine when normal operations can resume.
Part of the notice stated: “Please be informed that there is a temporary hold on truck release from the Lagos Port Complex pre-gates due to ongoing congestion. We are closely monitoring the situation and will relax the hold as soon as conditions improve.”
Kanempress reports that the congestion created a bottleneck in the port, delaying the flow of goods and hindering both local and international trade activities.
It had generated criticism across the logistics and transportation sectors, with various stakeholders, raising concerns on the economic impact if the congestion lingers.
In reaction to the situation, an official of the Association of Maritime Transport Owners (AMATO), Mr. Sani Mohammed attributed the congestion to the inefficiency of terminal operators at the port.
According to Mohammed, the port’s operators have failed to manage the inflow and outflow of cargo effectively, which had compounded the congestion problem.
He expressed frustration over the inefficiency of these terminal operators, stating: “What we are experiencing is a result of low efficiency by the terminal operators. They have not been able to facilitate the smooth movement of cargo, and yet, they will still charge demurrage fees for the delays caused by their inefficiency.”
