Danish port operator APM Terminals, the largest concessionaire of Nigeria’s Apapa port in Lagos, has reported its highest monthly export volume in two decades.

The terminal processed 8,687 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEUs) of export cargo in April, its highest recorded since it began operations at Apapa in 2006, and 30 percent more than it processed in April 2024, according to an official announcement over the weekend.

A large share of the exports handled at the terminal are agricultural products such as cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and rubber which are in high demand across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The terminal also processes solid minerals and manufactured goods, making it a key gateway for Nigeria’s non-oil exports.

Steen Knudsen, terminal manager at APM Terminals Apapa, attributed the rising volume to recent operational improvements, including the launch of a new rail service in February, designed to fast-track cargo movement from the hinterland to the port.

“Additionally, we’ve expanded our yard capacity for exports and introduced dedicated truck lanes to streamline the process, reducing the time exports spend in the terminal and ensuring timely ship departures,” Knudsen said.

He also reckoned that the recent figures benefit Nigeria’s trade balance, as a full ship equals full profits.

“It’s advantageous for Nigerian shippers when ships depart our ports fully loaded with exports, he said. “Preventing ships from leaving empty positively influences the overall cost of shipments into Nigeria.”

The terminal has reported a steady increase in export volumes over the past four years. From 53,807 TEUs in 2022, exports rose to 70,432 TEUs in 2023 and climbed further to 77,631 TEUs in 2024.