West Africa Container Terminal, a unit of APM Terminals Nigeria, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Ports Authority to develop a roadmap for electrifying containerised freight in line with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s policies.

In a statement on Tuesday, APMT said it will fund the $60 million project, with both parties pledging to work together to accelerate decarbonisation across Nigeria’s port and transport ecosystem.

“The MoU was to establish the framework to pursue a roadmap to electrify containerised freight in accordance with the policies of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in the country. The project will be wholly funded by APM Terminals to the tune of $60m,” the statement read in part.

Speaking at the event, APM Terminals CEO Frederik Klinke said, “We believe that Nigeria is ideally situated to lead West Africa’s transition to low-carbon logistics by electrifying its container transport sector.”

Klinke highlighted that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and trade hub, has the potential to bypass traditional fossil-fuel infrastructure by adopting proven electric technologies.

“Therefore, we are very optimistic about our joint plans to start shaping the phased roadmap of an electrified future for container logistics,” Klinke noted.

NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho noted that this initiative will make Onne Port Nigeria’s first green port, advancing decarbonisation across the country’s transportation ecosystem.

“This will also make Nigerian ports the leader on the continent in terms of sustainable port operations,” he said.

He expressed hope that the initiative would serve as a model for other African countries to emulate.