NAGAFF Calls Off Planned Strike After Agreement With APM Terminals On Port Operations

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF’s 100% Compliance Team has suspended a planned withdrawal of services and proposed industrial action after reaching an agreement with APM Terminals (APMT) Apapa to address pressing operational issues at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.

The truce was announced Thursday in a press release by the team’s National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, following discussions between the freight forwarders and the terminal operator.

Both parties acknowledged the operational pressures at Apapa Port, the busiest terminal in the West African sub-region, noting the high volume of vessel calls and the resulting strain on available infrastructure.

The release said APMT operates within land allotted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and cannot unilaterally expand its footprint.

“Being the biggest port in the West African sub-region, the Apapa Port receives more vessel-laden calls than any other port, and that comes with its own challenges. The NPA allocated the present space they occupy. They cannot appropriate more space to themselves,” the statement said.

Key points of the agreement include:
No extensions for cargo positioning dates; the current deadlines will be enforced.
The daily allocation of 200 containers for positioning remains unchanged.
Freight forwarders are advised to increase weekend and Monday bookings to improve cargo flow and ease bottlenecks.

Alerts from government agencies about cargo operations must be routed through the Cargo Advisory Committee (CAC) for better coordination.

APMT and stakeholders will maintain regular engagements to resolve operational concerns as they arise.

APM Terminals’ Managing Director, Mr. Karmal Alhraishat—who took office about three months ago—reassured stakeholders of management’s commitment to promptly address operational challenges.

The resolution ends the standoff that led NAGAFF to threaten withdrawal of services, and stakeholders expressed optimism that the measures will boost efficiency and strengthen collaboration at the nation’s premier seaport.