Amid the worsening congestion at Lagos ports, APM Terminals Apapa has addressed widespread confusion over who’s responsible for the growing backlog of empty containers. According to a statement released on Thursday, Terminal Manager Steen Knudsen made it clear that managing empty containers isn’t the job of the terminal. Instead, that task falls entirely on the shipping lines.
Recent media reports suggested that APM Terminals Apapa had stopped accepting empty containers, but Knudsen called that claim inaccurate. He explained that the real cause of the problem is a surge in import cargo volumes. Shipping lines are currently focused on offloading full containers and have deprioritized taking empty ones back, which is causing the pile-up.
Knudsen emphasized that shipping lines are responsible for planning how and when their empty containers are removed from the terminal and loaded onto vessels. Because of their delay, the terminal is now overwhelmed with empties, limiting available yard space. As a result, APM Terminals had to temporarily pause the intake of more empty containers.
He acknowledged the frustration this causes for truck operators, importers, and everyone in the logistics chain. To ease the pressure, APM Terminals is working closely with shipping companies and government agencies to fast-track the evacuation of empties.
Knudsen stressed that the issue is not a failure of terminal operations but a breakdown in how container traffic is managed. The imbalance, he said, is due to import volumes far outweighing export or empty container movements.
Calling for understanding from all parties, Knudsen reassured stakeholders that efforts are underway to resolve the situation and get operations back on track. He reiterated APM Terminals Apapa’s commitment to running an efficient, professional service and to playing its part in keeping Nigeria’s supply chain flowing.
