Export Containers Trapped at Apapa Port Spark Concerns
Fresh indications currently suggest palpable tension within Nigeria’s business community, especially among exporters, as over 1,000 export containers are trapped at Apapa Port. The situation has raised alarm bells among stakeholders in the logistics and trade sectors.
According to reports, the containers, which are carrying mostly perishable goods, have been trapped due to a lack of vessels to transport them out of the country. This issue is believed to be linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which was recently reopened. The situation has created a significant backlog at one of Nigeria’s major ports, causing financial strain on exporters and logistical challenges for shipping companies.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council Speaks Out
The Head of Complaints at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Juliana Saka, highlighted the problem during a media luncheon with journalists in Lagos. She explained that 1,000 export containers are currently trapped at Apapa Port. Originally, there were 1,800 export containers, but 800 have already been exported, leaving 1,000 still waiting.
Saka mentioned that the council engaged with the shipping line in a tripartite meeting with the Shippers Association of Nigeria, where an agreement was reached. She noted that before now, most of the shipping companies were complaining that when they came to Nigeria, they returned empty, without any exports to take out. However, now that there are more exports, the companies are struggling with a lack of vessels to carry them.
“They are complaining of congestion, and I believe the NSC is equally looking at the issue of that congestion. But most especially are containers or exports to African nations and the Far East that they complained about, that they have not been able to do due to rescheduling and all that,” she said.
Exporters Blame Regional Conflicts
Reacting to the issue, an exporter and the Managing Director of LWL Concept, Lawal Lekan, blamed the war between the United States and Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the major cause of the unavailability of vessels. He emphasized that Nigeria has strong trade relationships with the Middle East and China, which is why many of the containers are heading through the Strait of Hormuz.
“This is why most of the containers that are trapped are the ones going through the Strait of Hormuz vicinity and neighbourhood,” he stated.
Logistics Challenges and Congestion
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator, Western Zone of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Femi Anifowose, pointed out that shipping companies have been known to leave empty containers at ports rather than return with exports. This practice contributes to congestion and further complicates the logistics chain.
“If you come to this country with 1,000 containers or 500 containers, you should go back with another 500 or 1,000 containers, nothing less. The exporters are losing money. Because if a container is exporting now, there are goods inside the container already that could spoil,” he said.
Anifowose urged government agencies involved, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), to take necessary steps to address the issue. He warned that the losses being incurred by exporters could be in the billions of naira, particularly since many of the goods are perishable and time-sensitive.
A Wider Problem Across West Africa
The National President of the National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators, Mr Yinka Bakare, explained that the challenge is not only confined to Apapa Port but cuts across West Africa. He noted that the issue affects major ports and leads to delays in restitution and taking-back times.
“The report of about 1,000 export containers trapped at Apapa Port is a serious concern because it undermines Nigeria’s export drive, weakens the confidence of international buyers, and causes avoidable losses to exporters,” said Frank Ogunojemite, President of the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria.
He urged all relevant stakeholders, including shipping lines, terminal operators, and regulatory agencies, to resolve the bottlenecks and ensure the immediate evacuation of the affected containers. “Nigeria cannot afford delays that discourage non-oil exports and hinder economic growth,” he added.
The Need for Immediate Action
With the situation showing no signs of easing, it is clear that urgent action is required from all parties involved. The continued stagnation of export containers not only impacts the economy but also threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s export sector. As the country seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil, resolving these logistical challenges is essential to maintaining investor confidence and ensuring sustainable growth.
