West Africa Container Terminal, owned by APM Terminals, has unveiled a new container freight station in Onne Port, Rivers State.
The company said in its statement that the new facility would allow WACT to advance toward its strategic goal of becoming a gateway for East and West Nigeria.
In addition, it would enable it to offer a robust suite of logistics solutions to empower Nigerian businesses and further boost efficiency and access.
The first greenfield container terminal set up in Nigeria under the PPP model was West Africa Terminal Container, which began commercial operation in 2006.
The terminal is located in the oil and gas -ree zone of Onne Port, Rivers State, and has grown to be the most efficient gateway to markets outside Lagos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the facility recently, the Managing Director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, said “The facility would act as a central hub for various trade-related activities, including interaction with regulatory authorities and seamlessly connect businesses in Eastern Nigeria to the global marketplace and vice versa.
“It would also support streamlined processes, for import and export operations and reduce time and cost for customers.”
Jose noted that crafted solutions at the CFS were designed to expedite the movement of key Nigerian commodities like agro products and solid minerals, “ensuring Just-in-Time service delivery through efficient stuffing and swift transfers to the port”.
It also provides a reliable storage service for import and export cargo in a variety of sectors, according to him.
The WACT boss said that the facility would serve as a one-stop-shop where all their customers could consolidate their exports.
“The facility will aid the Nigerian government’s drive to promote export and generate forex, which will be beneficial to the country and the economy,” Jose said.
Also, WACT Commercial Manager, Ismaila Badjie, described the facility as the first of its kind in Onne Port.
“The CFS has a lot of benefits to the customer. It is cost-effective and ensures that there is as little as possible in terms of waste of time. The facility would help the customers in the non-oil exports. This facility would also continue to support and ensure that natural produce is available abroad, and would directly or indirectly aid the creation of jobs,” he explained.
The Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Baba Imam, commended WACT for the facility and its landmark achievements at the port.
