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2-in-1-service

Barge Service

APM Terminals Apapa offers an extensive network of inland barge services, all approved by the Nigerian Ports Authority. A dedicated barge berth efficiently connects the terminal with a growing number of strategically located at Inland Container Depots (ICDs) close to key markets.

The inland barge service brings cargo closer to customers in Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos, helping to avoid road congestion, reducing trucking costs and lowering potential storage costs.

Tripartite agreements between the Shipping Line - APM Terminals - and each of the partner’s ICDs ensure seamless cargo delivery.

Benefits for landside customers

  • Lower trucking costs: Shorter distances to customs bonded ICD and less traffic congestion delays.
  • Reduced storage costs: Standard 5 free days at APM Terminals plus an additional 5 free days at the ICD.
  • Decentralised delivery points: Faster delivery – get ahead of competition.
  • Improved planning: Barge slots are planned and assigned at least 72 hours before container arrival.
  • Fast customs approval: Organised by the ICD locally.

Frequency

There are currently daily transfers of containers from APM Terminals Apapa to ICDs, with the ability to rapidly scale up to meet demand and ensure full availability.

The number of ICDs serviced by our 2-in-1 product is growing rapidly, and include GMT container terminal at Abule Oshun, Sifax bonded terminal at Ijora, and SCOA bonded terminal at Kirikiri. Please contact your shipping line if you have a preferred ICD.

How do I book this service?

  • Inform your shipper to make the booking as TBL (Through Bill of Lading) to ‘’xxxx ICD, Lagos’’Via APM Terminals Apapa and include the transit clause (in transit to ‘’xx ICD, Lagos’’, )
  • When cargo arrives from the main vessel, cargo is discharged and stacked at a dedicated stacking area within our yard.
  • Behind the scenes, our partner ICD will organize the relevant custom’s paperwork, and once it’s ready, the units will be transferred via barges to the ICD
  • Units are then discharged at ’’xx ICD, Lagos’’ for customer to clear and take delivery.
  • For any questions, contact APPAPMTCTO@apmterminals.com

2in1 Service for Shipping Lines

APM Terminals Apapa’s barge service can help Shipping Lines improve the efficiency of their main line services, by reducing the number of calls at close neighbouring ports, such as Tincan Island. In this instance, containers would be transported further by barge to a Tincan-bonded ICD.

Removing diversions from the main shipping lanes, and just a single call at APM Terminals Apapa, located at the mouth of the Lagos Lagoon, saves precious time and bunker costs, and reduced complexity for shipping lines. Freed up time can be used to add another port call on the same rotation.

For calculations of time and costs savings please contact adetunji.iriah.igbaugba@apmterminals.com