APM Terminals and Barging Marine Solutions Ltd (BMS) have signed an exclusive lease agreement to expand services across the Apapa port corridor, reinforcing APM Terminals’ long-term commitment to developing trade opportunities in Nigeria.

The agreement aims to leverage collaboration between the two companies to increase capacity and enhance landside and barge connections, benefiting both customers and shipping lines.

Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, said, “The Nigerian market has shown solid growth throughout 2025, and we strongly believe in its continued development. This partnership is crucial to realise the potential of the terminal and to explore further investments and modernization in Lagos.”

BMS CEO Karim Said added, “This collaboration builds on our existing strong business relationship and will provide enhanced logistics solutions for APM Terminals’ customers and shipping lines by leveraging BMS’s barging and terminal operations for additional capacity and reliable delivery.”

The partnership covers two waterfront and inland container terminals, along with barge services that offer an alternative to road transport, easing traffic congestion, reducing logistics costs, and improving overall efficiency.

Frederik Klinke, MD of APM Terminals Nigeria, highlighted the benefits: “Improved barge services and BMS’s position as a market leader in inland container depots will enhance reliability, speed, and coordination across the supply chain, delivering a more seamless experience for our customers.”

Under the agreement, BMS will operate services for APM Terminals, while both companies will jointly develop solutions to add value for customers.

APM Terminals’ facilities in Apapa, Kano, and Onne handle approximately half of Nigeria’s containerized trade, providing direct and indirect employment to more than 10,000 Nigerian families. A recent USD 115 million upgrade and expansion of the West African Container Terminal in Onne underscores APM Terminals’ commitment to growth, safe operations, and cost-effective customer solutions.

BMS, operating in Nigeria since 2019, runs waterside terminals in Abule Oshun and Agbara and inland container depots in Abule Oshun. Its fleet of barges moves containers via Lagos waterways, offering bonded terminal services and reducing congestion on Apapa roads. The company emphasizes customer-centric logistics solutions by fully leveraging the waterways for efficient cargo movement.

This partnership reflects a shared vision of expanding multimodal transport options, improving quayside efficiency, and strengthening Nigeria’s trade infrastructure for long-term growth.