President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to officially inaugurate the newly upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State within the next 48 hours.
WACT, operated by APM Terminals, is Nigeria’s largest and most efficient container terminal outside Lagos. The terminal has recently undergone an extensive upgrade costing $115 million (approximately N178.2 billion), which began in 2021.
The Managing Director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, highlighted the upgrade as a significant milestone for Nigerian ports. He expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the upgrade at Onne Port. This will be a game-changer for Nigeria. The fresh investment of USD115 million underscores APM Terminals’ trust and confidence in the Nigerian economy and supports our mission of enhancing global trade while improving lives.”
WACT, the first greenfield container terminal in Nigeria developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is located within the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne. It serves as a crucial gateway for accessing markets beyond the Lagos region and supports Eastern Nigeria’s growing economy. Notably, on August 15, 2020, WACT set a record by receiving the largest container vessel ever to dock at a Nigerian port, the Maersk Stadelhorn, which can carry approximately 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
The commissioning event will be attended by numerous dignitaries, including governors, ministers, and heads of key government agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA). Representatives from shipping companies, freight forwarding associations, and the import-export community are also expected to participate.
The upgraded WACT terminal is anticipated to significantly boost Nigeria’s port capacity and efficiency, reinforcing its role as a major hub in West Africa.
