NPA Grants Approval For AIM Export Processing Terminal

The Nigerian Ports Authority has recognised and given an approval to AIM Logistics Limited as an Export Processing Terminal. By this development, AIM Logistics Terminal has transmuted into an emporium where Nigerian produce buyers, agriculture investors and exporters in general can seamlessly sort out their logistics processes embracing a total package from source to the port for onward shipment to overseas destinations.

According to a statement on Friday, AIM Export Processing Terminal is a perfect haven for Nigerian and expatriate exporters, importers, in all ramifications. The Terminal is located on an expansive, well-appointed site overlooking the popular Lagos/Shagamu expressway. This has already attracted a ceaseless traffic of laden trucks driving in and out of the busy Terminal.

It is no surprise that AIM Terminal got the approval of the Federal government (this project is a collaboration of NPA and Nigerian Export Promotions Council NEPC). The NPA inspection team was very impressed by the facilities they met on ground at the Terminal.

“Honestly, the facility here boasts incomparable infrastructure essential in the cargo and logistics enterprise anywhere in the world. Our Chairman, Mr Cyprian Nwankwo, is passionate about Nigeria becoming a great nation, which explains why no expenses are spared to ensure that AIM Terminal compares with the best cargo terminals in Africa. So, the government approval was expected,” explained Mr Jide Adeleye, the Terminal Manager

The approval letter signed by Mohammed Bello Koko, NPA Managing Director reads, in part: This action (approval of AIMS Export Processing Terminal) is to further support the implementation of the Federal government’s economic diversification programme aimed at addressing the logistics identified challenges that are inherent in the export supply chain in collaboration with Nigerian Export Promotion Council and other relevant agencies. “l am therefore pleased to inform you that the management hereby grants approval for Messrs AIM Logistics Limited TO OPERATE AS AN EXPORT PROCESSING TERMINAL (EPT).”

The NPA helmsman had, at a recent media forum in Lagos, disclosed that Export Processing Terminals will serve as a pre-gate, especially for agro exports where preshipment sorting, stuffing, processing, sealing and certification will be done. “The EPTs will reduce the cost to the exporters, reduce the time that it takes to export these goods out and then make the process faster and seamless, actually,” observed the NPA MD.

In his submission, Mr Jide Adeleye thanked the NPA for the approval and promised that AIM Export Terminal will not let downboth the NPA, Shippers and the entire freight forwarding industry. “We are equal to the task as we are no new comers in the cargo and logistics trade. Mind you, we have a plethora of very functional trucks to assist our increasing clientele,” he noted.

 AIM Logistics and Terminal is an offshoot of Advanced International Merchants, an organisation with tentacles in diverse investments.

BACKGROUND

Since 1995, Advanced International Merchants (AIM) Limited has been foremost and very successful in a gamut of business endeavors.

AlM is Nigeria’s leading name in procurement and marketing of filtration materials and production of CO2. Indeed, its marketing tentacles embrace the entirety of West Africa.

AIM is now an ISO Certified Organization, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 22000: 2018 to be precise. With ISO certification, AIM now has increased productivity and has an improved level of quality in products, processes and services.

In recent years, AIM has grown exponentially with diversification into Agriculture, Industries, Shipping and Logistics.

AlM LOGISTICS

AIM Logistics is a major 3PL service provider in Nigeria. Their services are customer centric that helps them to build long term business relationships. To this end, three distinct business divisions have been established to complement one another and the mother company, Advanced International Merchants Limited, to enhance efficiency and facilitate greater productivity. They are:-

1. AIM Container Bonded Terminals

2. AIM Warehousing

3. AIM Logistics & Transport

AIM CONTAINER BONDED TERMINALS

AIM Terminal operations come with a unique and completely different operating model.

Leveraging on the huge business stature and appetite of the parent company, AIM Terminals operate on a bi-modal structure, namely, AIM Export Bonded Terminal and  AIM Import Bonded Terminal.

Both Terminals are located alongside on an expansive concrete flooring with an approximately cumulative 4500 TEU capacity on a 4- high. They are delineated by a wire fencing. Terminal 1 is registered with the Tincan lsland Customs Command and it’s primarily for exports. Terminal 2 is registered with Apapa Customs Command and it handles both laden and empty containers and are characterized with the following:

Electricity: The Terminals are powered twenty four hours by the National Grid, AIM in-house gas power and two heavy duty diesel generators.

Handlers: The Terminals are fully equipped with the latest Hi-tech cargo handlers including Six 45 Tons, brand new reach stackers and heavy duty forklifts.

Customs: AIM Terminals are officially registered with and licensed by the Nigeria Customs Service. The Customs office at AIM Terminals is fully furnished and equipped with NICIS1 and NICIS 2 facilities and gadgets. This guarantees easy port access and cargoes are examined and cleared by Customs officers at AIM Terminals.

Security: AIM Terminals are ISPS compliant. They are walled up and fenced with barbed wire. There is a 24-hour CCTV coverage of the entire Terminals and complemented by security personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and professional private guards.

AIM WAREHOUSES

AIM Limited is a Manufacturer and Merchants Representative. The warehouses are therefore very strategic and important in the value chain.

AIM provides the very best of warehouses for importers and exporters and manufacturers. The company proudly parades nine huge, world-standard warehouses fitted with modern facilities and cargo handlers such as heavy duty forklifts and a weighbridge to ascertain capacity and safety of truck, lives and cargo.

These warehouses are oversubscribed by leading industries in foods and beverages whose economies of scale have been helped in terms of reduced overheads by the availability of these facilities.

AIM LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT

AIM Limited is a total business package for the benefit of smart industrialists and produce merchants.

AIM Logistics is not only licensed by the Customs to practise clearing and forwarding of cargoes in and out of Nigerian ports but agents and all customers have been provided an easy access to a 65 strong fleet of functional container flatbed trucks. This is courtesy of AIM Logistics.

SUBMISSION

AIM Terminals and warehouses are a haven for importers, exporters, manufacturers, agriculture produce merchants, customs agents and freight forwarders. It is a complete one-stop logistics window for the aforementioned and complemented with a serene work ambience  hallmarked by  assured security, steady electricity, a functional plant, a steady fleet of trucks and a beautiful access road that dovetailed into the brand new Lagos/ lbadan Express way.