By AISHA COLE

APM Terminals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract investment into Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Bolaji Akinola, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Akinola said the MoU was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Monday during a visit led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, and a Federal Government delegation.

He said Vincent Clerc, Group Chief Executive Officer of A.P. Moller-Maersk, signed on behalf of APM Terminals, while Didi Ndiomu signed for Badagry Port Development Ltd. And Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Ltd.

According to him, the agreement commits the parties to exclusive negotiations on the development of the Badagry Port, with APM Terminals pledging to advance the greenfield project towards financial close.

Oyetola said the Federal Government remained committed to modernising maritime infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for long-term private-sector investment in the nation’s ports.

“Our engagement in Denmark underscores our commitment to unlocking the blue economy.

“Partnering with global operators on Badagry is central to President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria as West Africa’s hub,” he said.

The minister and the delegation also held discussions with senior Danish government officials and stakeholders in the Danish maritime and logistics sector.

Akinola said the discussions included the possible extension of APM Terminals’ concessions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne, to ensure continuity of operations.

Clerc said the proposed Badagry project would provide additional deep-water capacity for larger container vessels and create new transshipment opportunities for Nigeria and the wider West African market.

He said the project could transform Nigeria’s role in regional trade by easing congestion at existing city ports and opening new logistics corridors.

Igor van den Essen, Managing Director, Africa and Europe, APM Terminals, said further investment in Apapa and Onne, alongside the Badagry project, would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the rapidly developing market.

Van den Essen said public-private partnerships remained important for driving long-term investment, improving the business environment and enhancing port competitiveness.

Ndiomu, representing Badagry Port Development Ltd. And Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Ltd., described the proposed investment as the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime development.

Ndiomu said the Badagry Deep-Seaport was expected to strengthen Nigeria’s port network, improve supply-chain resilience and enable larger vessels to berth directly at Nigerian terminals.

“It will also position Nigeria as a regional transshipment hub, allowing cargo destined for West and Central Africa to be handled through a strategically located deeper facility,” he said. (NAN)