The Group Chief Executive of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, Mr. Nils Andersen, on Tuesday met with Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja.

Mr. Andersen thanked the President for the opportunity to meet with him at the State House.
The President and his guests discussed the investments made by APM Terminals in the Apapa container terminal and the challenge of congestion at the terminal as well as the aspirations of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group in Nigeria.

Mr. Andersen is in Nigeria primarily to tour the Apapa terminal expansion and to meet Maersk’s customers.
“It is an important part of our company culture to keep our promises. In Apapa we have invested almost 200 million USD, which is more than we promised in the concession agreement,” said Mr. Andersen.

The A.P. Moller – Maersk Group has invested significantly in reducing the cost of shipping to West Africa.
“Starting March next year, we will bring in 22 large container vessels designed with lower draft. They are intended to trade with West Africa, and they will come to Nigeria. But to do that we need deeper draft at Apapa,” said Mr. Andersen.

Andersen disclosed that APM Terminals, which is part of the A.P. Moller _ Maersk Group, would like to invest even more in Apapa.

“We can take up the capacity 50%, maybe even double it, in 3-5 years,” . Andersen said.
To do that, he says, the company needs to bring in big gantry cranes and that requires a check of the quay wall’s stability.

The APMM Group CEO also suggested that the Group could study the use of the railway to alleviate congestion at the port.

Mr. Andersen also presented his hope to invest in other parts of the Nigerian economy and infrastructure.
President Goodluck Jonathan thanked Andersen for the warm welcome he received when he visited Mr. Andersen at the A.P. Moller Maersk headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark last year.

“Your commitment is commendable. I can give you our blessings,” the President said.
Also at the meeting were former Head of the Interim National Government and Chairman of APM Terminals Apapa, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the Minister of Transport Minister, Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman and Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Abdul Salam Mohammed