APM Terminals (APMT) has announced that the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has commissioned 16 brand new terminal trucks to boost efficiency and cargo handling operations at Onne Port, Nigeria.
The additional container handling equipment is expected to further improve the turnaround time for vessels calling at WACT, according to APMT.
With the acquisition and commissioning of the new terminal trucks, WACT now has 36 terminal trucks deployed into its operations.
Naved Zafar, Managing Director of WACT, said the trucks were acquired as part of a fresh investment of $112 million by APMT to upgrade and expand the terminal.
“This brand-new fleet is part of our ongoing Onne terminal upgrade; an expansion project which has been going strong for the last two years. We are getting closer to completing the major parts of that expansion project,” Zafar said.
The upgrade includes the acquisition of Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs), Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, empty handlers, terminal trucks, and forklifts.
It also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the current yard, new workshop, and a new terminal gate complex.
Zafar said the acquisition and commissioning of the new terminal trucks is a clear manifestation of APMT’s commitment to the country and an indication of the role WACT is playing in the trade and economic development of Nigeria.
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On behalf of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Port Manager of Onne Port, Stanley Magaji Yitnoe, said the new trucks would aid efficiency, improve productivity, and ensure quick turnaround of vessels at the port in line with the Federal Government’s policy on the Ease of Doing Business.
In December 2022, the Port of Los Angeles awarded $6 million to two trucking companies to accelerate the transition to zero-emission drayage trucks.
