President Bola Tinubu is set to officially inaugurate the upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State, next Wednesday.
This announcement was made in a recent statement from the terminal operator.
The upgrade project, which began in 2021, represents an investment of $115 million, approximately N178.2 billion. The terminal, operated by APM Terminals, is recognised as Nigeria’s largest and most efficient container terminal outside Lagos.
Mr. Jeethu Jose, Managing Director (MD) of WACT, highlighted the significance of this development.
“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 are thoroughly excited about it,” Mr.Jose said.
He stated: “The fresh investment of $115 million is a testament to the trust and confidence that APMT has in the Nigerian economy and contributes to our purpose of improving lives for all while lifting global trade.”
WACT stands out as Nigeria’s first greenfield container terminal developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Strategically located within the oil and gas free zone in Onne, Rivers State, the terminal has become a crucial gateway for accessing markets beyond Lagos and a key link to Eastern Nigeria’s growing economy.
Recall, WACT had welcomed the Maersk Stadelhorn in August 15, 2020, the largest container vessel ever to dock at any Nigerian port. The vessel, measuring 300 meters in length and 48.2 meters in beam, can carry around 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of containers.
The inauguration of this upgraded terminal marks a significant milestone and is expected to enhance Nigeria’s port infrastructure, bolstering its position as a major player in global trade.
