New Customs Hub At Apapa Port To Ease Cargo Bottlenecks – Operators

APM Terminals Apapa’s newly renovated Customs office at the Lagos Port Complex, will improve cargo handling efficiency and accelerate the clearance of containers at one of West Africa’s busiest seaports, operators have said.

The upgraded facility is expected to strengthen operational coordination among stakeholders and address longstanding bottlenecks that have slowed port activities. By providing a more structured and integrated workspace for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other users, the initiative is projected to enhance trade facilitation and reduce delays in cargo processing.

Speaking during the event, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, Kamal Alhraishat, described the new Customs Office and Customer Service Centre as an intervention designed to modernise cargo clearance operations.

According to him, the integration of critical services under one roof will eliminate the fragmentation that often characterises cargo clearance processes, improve transparency and ensure a smoother flow of containers through the port.

“Our objective is to make cargo clearance more predictable, seamless and less cumbersome for all stakeholders who rely on this terminal,” Alhraishat said.“We recognise that infrastructure plays a vital role in efficiency and service delivery. This project is part of our ongoing efforts to create a more productive and collaborative environment, and it represents only the beginning of a broader transformation,” he stated.

Also speaking, port manager of the Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal Ibrahim, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful. He noted that the improved facility would bring greater order and control to port operations.

In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, highlighted the importance of providing Customs officers with a conducive working environment, noting that workplace conditions directly influence efficiency and service delivery.

He said the new facility aligns with expected operational standards and reinforces the capacity of Customs officers to perform their duties effectively.

The event was attended by officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority, representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, management staff of APM Terminals Apapa, as well as stakeholders from shipping and logistics companies.