We want to build world class port terminals – Hansen, MD, AP Moller Terminal
By TOKUNBO OLOKE
Thursday, March 13, 2008

The AP Moller Terminal is one of the concessionaires operating at the Lagos Port complex, Apapa. The Managing Director of AP Moller, Mr Michael Hansen said that his company is one of the world’s leading container terminal operating with a comprehensive and geographically balanced global terminal network of over 50 integrated facilities in 31 countries. He also explained the extent and the level of infrastructural development at Apapa terminal since he took over port operations in 2006.

What we stand for.
Terminal operations will play an increasingly important role in the smooth handling and delivery of containers in the global chain.
As vessel sizes and container volumes continue to grow in APM terminal, we see it as our challenge and our goal to continue to provide world-class service at every point in our global network. In order to achieve this we are constantly growing and improving our own facilities and capabilities.

Our major plans
APM Terminals bring investment to the countries we operate in. But we also bring expertise and experience. It is our goal to build up world-class terminal in each country where we operate. In Apapa, APM terminals have so far allocated USD136 million to the expansion and modernization of the container terminal. We have also brought in more than 20 expatriate employees to complement our 730 Nigerian employees.

Security profile at the terminal
We took security and safety as our major priority, so, as from April 1, 2008, APM Moller will continue to charge a security fee of N1000 per container. As a matter of fact, the company had invested so much in the area of security and safety and we promised not to relent in order to be international ships and ports security ISPS compliant. The charge is within the agreement the company had signed with the government. In fact, the company ought to have introduced the fee since we took over two years ago. Already, both the importers and clearing agents had been intimated of the new charges.

Container delivery operations
As at today, the average dwell time of containers delivered from the port is about 30 days, some importers take delivery of their container between five and ten days while some used to take between 20 and 40 days to clear their containers but some take their delivery in ten days or less. I will like to say that the ongoing reform in the port should not be limited to the Nigeria Customs Service and concessionaires alone but also to all other agencies and bodies that are involved in cargo clearing.

Why we introduced container charge
The essence is to discourage some importers and their clearing agents from using terminals as storage facility. We want importers and agents to change their attitude to work if we are to achieve 48 hours release of containers introduced by the government. If containers are cleared within the first three days of their dwell time at the port, it would attract no charges at all, but if it remains in the port for another seven days, it would attract charges of N750 and N1500 per 20 foot containers and 40 foot containers respectively.