COSCO Shipping has successfully exported Nigerian agricultural products that arrived by rail at the Apapa Port Facility in Lagos.
The first consignment of 18 containers operated by locomotive-driven containers left Dara Inland Dry Port, Kano on July 7, 2024, and arrived in Apapa at daylight on July 17 after a 10-day journey.
The cargo train was received in Lagos by officials of COSCO Shipping, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and Temerity International Experts who arranged the transport.
Commenting on the successful arrival of the containers in Lagos, Mr Michael Echezona, Head of Logistics, COSCO Shipping Nigeria, said the successful transaction strengthened investor confidence in Nigeria’s rail options and logistics supply chain system.
He said the Federal Ministry of Transport must urgently accelerate the construction of the standard gauge line.
“Following the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, which brought progressive prosperity to Nigeria and promoted the development of the logistics supply chain, allowing more goods to be transferred from the hinterland to the port via local services, Nigeria and by extension the African continent has experienced significant infrastructural growth as a direct result of the initiative which has primarily targeted greater connectivity and trade growth,” Echezona said.
Managing partner at Temerity International Experts, Temi Ogunnyi, who handled the shipment of cargo from the Dara Inland Dry Port in Kano, also called for further collaboration in enhancing efficiency through improved systems and security in his speech.
Ogunniyi said rail freight transportation from the north will boost international trade for importers and exporters in the hinterland and neighboring countries, diversify the Nigerian economy, and generate much-needed foreign exchange through non-oil exports.
“This development is poised to revolutionize our nation’s transportation landscape. As an environmentally friendly mode of transport, rail excels in efficiently moving massive volumes of goods. With its capacity to haul large quantities of containers and trailers, rail is perfectly suited for transporting heavy and bulky loads over long distances, making it an ideal solution for intermodal transport. This enhances supply chain planning and reduces costs,” Ogunniyi added.
