APM Terminals has signed a long-term exclusive lease with Barging Marine Solutions (BMS) that puts waterfront and inland container terminals at the centre of its strategy for Apapa, reinforcing its commitment to Nigeria’s trade infrastructure through to 2031.
The agreement, which runs until September 2031, gives APM Terminals expanded access to two waterfront and inland container terminal facilities operated by BMS, alongside supporting barge services. The focus is on increasing handling capacity beyond the quayside and strengthening inland connections that can move containers more efficiently into and out of Lagos.
APM Terminals says the terminals will play a critical role in easing pressure on the Apapa port corridor by shifting cargo away from road-only transport. By using inland container depots and waterfront terminals linked by barges, the partners aim to reduce truck congestion while improving the reliability of container flows for shipping lines and cargo owners.
“The Nigerian market has shown solid growth throughout 2025 and APM Terminals strongly believes in the development of the market in the years ahead,” said Keith Svendsen, chief executive of APM Terminals. “It is important that we take the necessary steps to develop and realise the potential of the terminal, while also looking at the future potential to invest and modernise further in Lagos.”
BMS chief executive Karim Said highlighted the importance of inland terminals in complementing seaport operations. “This important collaboration with APM Terminals builds on the strong existing business that we have together and will provide enhanced logistics solutions by leveraging BMS’s barging and terminal operations for additional capacity and reliable delivery,” he said.
Frederik Klinke, managing director of APM Terminals Nigeria, said the inland facilities could materially improve service performance. “Barging Marine Solutions’ position as a market leader within inland container depots has the ability to improve both reliability and speed for our customers,” he said, adding that better coordination across terminals would create ‘a more seamless customer experience’.
Under the agreement, BMS, part of GMT Nigeria, will operate the waterfront and inland terminal services while both companies jointly develop further value-added solutions.
