President Bola Tinubu is set to officially commission the revamped West African Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State next Wednesday.
WACT is operated by APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, and is Nigeria’s largest container terminal outside Lagos. In 2021, WACT embarked on an unprecedented modernization project worth $115 million, or about N178.2 billion.
WACT Managing Director, Jeethu Jose, said the completion of the modernization marks a significant milestone in the history of Nigerian ports.
“We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the upgrade of our terminal at Onne Port. This will be a game-changer for Nigeria, and we’re thoroughly excited about it.
“The fresh investment of $115 million is a further testament to the trust and confidence that APM Terminals has in the Nigerian economy and contributes to our purpose of improving lives for all while lifting global trade,” he said.
WACT is Nigeria’s first greenfield container terminal developed under a public-private partnership (PPP).
Strategically located in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State, the terminal has become a major gateway to access markets outside the Lagos region and a key conduit for the emerging economy in eastern Nigeria.
On August 15, 2020, WACT made history by receiving the largest container ship ever to a Nigerian port. The Maersk Stadelhorn vessel is 300 metres long and 48.2 metres wide and can transport approximately 10,000 TEU containers.
The commissioning ceremony is expected to be attended by several dignitaries including governors, ministers, and heads of government agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Maritime Council, Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority (OGFZA), as well as representatives of shipping companies, transport associations and importers/exporters.
