President Bola Tinubu is set to officially commission the upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State, next Wednesday.
The $115 million or N178.2 billion upgrade project launched in 2021 and managed by APM Terminals, represents one of the biggest investments in Nigeria’s port infrastructure outside Lagos.
WACT is Nigeria’s largest container terminal outside of Lagos and a strategic gateway to the country’s eastern economy.
The terminal’s modernization is expected to transform trade logistics in the region, improving cargo handling efficiency and driving further economic growth.
Jeethu Jose, managing director of WACT, hailed the completion of the upgrade as a pivotal achievement for the Nigerian port sector.
“We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the upgrade of our terminal at Onne Port,” Jose said. “This is a game-changer for Nigeria, and we’re thoroughly excited about it. The fresh investment of $115 million is a further testament to the trust and confidence that APM Terminals has in the Nigerian economy and contributes to our purpose of improving lives for all while lifting global trade.”
WACT holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first greenfield container terminal developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Situated within the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, the terminal has rapidly evolved into the leading hub for container shipping outside of the Lagos area.
Its strategic location positions it as the key access point for markets across Nigeria’s eastern region, supporting the country’s thriving oil, gas, and consumer goods industries.
The WACT terminal also made headlines in August 2020 when it received the largest container vessel ever to berth at a Nigerian port, the Maersk Stadelhorn.
The vessel, measuring 300 meters in length with a 48.2-meter beam, has a capacity of 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of containers, showcasing the terminal’s world-class capacity.
President Tinubu’s commissioning of the terminal is expected to draw an array of prominent figures, including state governors, ministers, and top officials from agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Representatives from shipping companies, freight forwarding associations, and key players in Nigeria’s import and export sector will also be in attendance.
The upgraded terminal is expected to increase Nigeria’s trade capacity, improve the ease of doing business in the country, and bolster economic growth.
By enhancing the terminal’s operational capabilities, the project aims to reduce congestion at Lagos ports, offering an efficient alternative for shipping and logistics within the country.
The WACT upgrade signals a bold new chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize its port infrastructure.
As the commissioning date approaches, expectations are high that the terminal’s increased efficiency and capacity will further position Nigeria as a major player in global trade while supporting domestic industries.
