Apapa Bulk Terminal Invests In Driving The Culture Of Excellence In Nigeria’s Maritime Sector

By Kunle Sowemimo

The Maritime sector in Nigeria is an integral developmental aspect of the economy facilitating both local and international trades that generates revenue, drives the nation’s import-export agenda and ensures responsible utilization of the marine resources. This integrated system is made up of various parts – both public and private sector led establishments collaboratively driving a thriving maritime sector in Nigeria. Apapa Bulk Terminal (ABT FZE) is one of these distinguished Private-sector managed terminals that are heralding the Nation’s sustainable maritime trading system.

With over 2 decades of unwavering commitment to excellence, and innovation as Africa’s leader in the provision of specialized bulk terminal services in Nigeria, ABT FZE has demonstrated an applaudable delivery of superior quality services. Incorporated in May 2005, as a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), under the name ‘Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd (ABTL), the Company is today, one of the six vertical entities of FMN. ABT FZE operates terminals A & B (Berths 1–5) at the Apapa Port Complex under a concession agreement with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in line with global best practices and standards.

As part of the FMN Family, Apapa Bulk Terminal thrives in rendering superior quality services to all its customers and stakeholders, a commitment that manifests via its applaudable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The vast array of ABT FZE’s CSR activities reveals deliberate executions designed to foster professional excellence within the industry ensuring that service delivery attains global competitive benchmark. At the top of this noteworthy investments in attainment of professional excellence is the Company’s collaboration with ABCML (Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Limited) complete funding of eight maritime Pilots for a one-week training at the distinguished Solent University/Warsash Maritime Academy in the United Kingdom. The Company invested significantly in the training which inculcated a lifetime access to superior intelligence in the 8 trained maritime Pilots, a knowledge that they utilize in daily executions of their jobs in Nigeria’s maritime space.

One of the trained maritime Pilots is Mr. Echendu Nwobi James, a Pilot with the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) noted that the training aided the propelling of his career to a notable height as he gained practical knowledge that distinguished him among his peers. Mr. Echendu listed Tug maneuvering, and speed management as some of the key learnings from the training which he still applies in his daily job executions.

Some other remarkable CSR initiatives by ABT FZE are: Sponsorship of Labour and Maritime capacity-building programmes; Support of the Nigerian Maritime Professionals Association (NIMEPA) in advancing maritime professionalism and environmental sustainability; Provision of logistics support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for operational activities; Sponsorship of the overseas training of Nigerian maritime pilots to enhance navigational competence and safety; Support of operational logistics for the Nigerian Navy to strengthen maritime security, amongst other impactful initiatives orchestrated and sponsored by ABT FZE. These initiatives reflect the Company’s commitment to community development, industry advancement, and education.

ABT FZE offer facilities such as open and closed storage, ship repair facilities, cargo handling and consolidation, equipment rentals and lease, bonded warehousing as well as multi-modal cargo distribution and delivery.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to Enriching the Lives of the people within and outside the organization, a commitment that keys into the holistic FMN Purpose, ABT FZE is consistently making investments in human capital development, ensuring the full adoption of culture of excellence and professionalism in the Nigeria’s Maritime sector.