June 2025 – Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria
A major milestone has been achieved at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, signaling a new era of maritime strength for Nigeria and the entire West African coast. The completion of significant upgrades under the Public–Private Partnership with APM Terminals, coupled with the induction of global vessel operator Hapag‑Lloyd, marks a transformative shift in capacity, efficiency, and regional integration.
1. Expansion Powered by PPP Strategy
Originally conceived as a greenfield project under APM Terminals, the WACT-Onne port has benefitted from over US $115 million in phased investments since 2021. Government-backed infrastructure improvements—road connectivity, utility upgrades, and dredging—set the foundation for a seamless handover to the private sector. The strategy reflects a deliberate shift toward unlocking global capital and modern practices.
2. Hapag‑Lloyd Launch Key Trade Link
On May 26, 2025, Hapag‑Lloyd officially launched its first dedicated weekly service into Onne—a strategic development heralded as “a new era of connectivity for East Nigeria.” The presence of one of the world’s leading liner carriers underscores WACT’s upgraded capabilities and signals stronger integration with global trade networks.
Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, noted:
“This is an important milestone in East Nigeria for building its potential. We have invested an additional US $115 million in this terminal over the past years… Getting a new shipping line is extremely important because that means incremental growth.”
This move elevates Onne from a regional port to an international gateway for containers, project cargo, and specialized trade.
3. Operational Gains & Regional Significance
- Vessel capacity: The addition of Hapag‑Lloyd enables larger, reliably scheduled vessels to call weekly.
- Turnaround efficiency has improved through marine automation, RTG cranes, and modern yard planning introduced during upgrades.
- Logistics linkages: Onne’s position in the Oil & Gas Free Zone has been enhanced by improved access roads and hinterland depots.
- Competitive edge: With this reopening, WACT-Onne competes directly with Lagos and Port Harcourt in handling specialist cargo for oilfield and East Nigerian industries.
4. Expert Oversight from Observater
Seeking technical insight into WACT’s transformation, All in Maritime News spoke with Eng. Daniel Esilaba, Director at Observater Surveys & Services Ltd:
“Our assessments during the project focused on quay load capacity, crane operational testing, and yard stacking layout. We noted correct implementation of dredge-depth tolerances and load-stress assessments—particularly critical in the dynamic Onne estuary environment.”
He continued:
“Phase-II upgrades, including additional quays and advanced handling gear, require regular structural monitoring, particularly for foundation settlement and tidal erosion. Observater has deployed engineers to conduct stability audits, cargo survey reviews, and digital load-mapping to validate port safety compliance.”
Mr. Esilaba stressed the importance of monitoring cargo integrity:
“With multiple carriers and heavier handling, cargo damage risk increases. We’re offering condition inspections, lashing compliance checks, and claims documentation for high-value or sensitive project cargo entering and exiting the terminal.”
Through these efforts, Observater provides a safety net that enables the port’s acceleration without compromising resilience.
5. Wider Infrastructure and Strategic Coordination
Onne’s evolution aligns with regional port development trends:
- Lagos–Lekki Deep Sea Port continues to scale up, with capacity projected to reach 6 million TEUs.
- Bakassi Deep Seaport, a BP-funded project in Cross River State, is due to begin later this year, adding further capacity and hinterland integration.
- Port of Ndayane (Senegal) is under development by DP World, emphasizing the region’s marquee modernization wave.
These developments are turning West Africa into a functional logistics spine, reducing over-dependence on South Africa and Europe for freight transit.
6. Regional and Economic Impacts
- Nigeria’s East-Central corridor gains increased supply access.
- The port can now support critical sectors—oilfield services, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and regional trade to landlocked neighbors.
- Enlarged capacity positions Onne as a staging point for both imports and exports across Central Africa and southern Nigeria.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for West African Trade
The revitalisation of Onne Port through public-private collaboration marks a transformative step toward sustainable, efficient West African maritime infrastructure. With APM Terminals’ investment and Hapag‑Lloyd’s entry, the port reflects the government’s vision for economic integration and a logistics-first agenda.
Thanks to Observater’s technical surveys, the port upgrade is matched by structural and operational safeguards, ensuring that efficiency gains are not achieved at the expense of safety or service quality.
Moving forward, Onne is set to handle increased container throughput, diversified cargo types, and multimodal flows—emerging as a key node in Africa’s evolving maritime ecosystem.
All in Maritime News will monitor follow-on developments at Onne, Lekki, Bakassi, and wider West African maritime infrastructure initiatives.
Contact: news@allinmaritime.com
Tel: +27 063 069 1191
Offices: Durban | Lagos | Abidjan | Dakar
All in Maritime News — Your Source for Maritime Intelligence
Pixel 4a Review
The Google Pixel 4A currently tops our rank of the greatest Samsung phones available, beating even the pricier iPhone Ultra Max Mega.
So unsurprisingly this is an absolutely fantastic phone. The design isn't massively changed from the previous generation, but most other elements have been upgraded. This is what we call a big boost.
-
Display8.5
-
Performance9
-
Features7
-
Usability8
-
Battery Life10
