Tinubu Set to Launch $115 Million WACT Terminal Upgrade

By pulse lens

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to officially commission the enhanced West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State, within the next 48 hours.

WACT, managed by APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, stands as Nigeria’s largest and most efficient container terminal outside of Lagos. The substantial USD115 million (approximately N178.2 billion) upgrade project at WACT began in 2021.

Jeethu Jose, the Managing Director of WACT, highlighted the importance of the terminal’s upgrade, calling it a landmark achievement for Nigerian ports. He stated, “We are delighted to announce the successful completion of our terminal upgrade at Onne Port. This development is set to transform Nigeria’s logistics landscape, and we’re very enthusiastic about it. The additional investment of USD115 million underscores APM Terminals’ confidence in the Nigerian economy and aligns with our mission to enhance lives while boosting global trade.”

WACT holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first greenfield container terminal developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. Located within the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State, the terminal has become the leading gateway for reaching markets beyond Lagos and plays a critical role in supporting the growing economy of Eastern Nigeria. On August 15, 2020, WACT made history by welcoming the largest container vessel ever to dock at a Nigerian port. The vessel, Maersk Stadelhorn, measures 300 meters in length and 48.2 meters in width, with a capacity to hold approximately 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of containers.

The inauguration event is expected to attract several prominent figures, including state governors, ministers, heads of government agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA). Representatives from shipping companies, freight forwarding associations, importers, exporters, and other stakeholders will also be in attendance.