APM Terminals has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Badagry Port Development Limited to explore the development of the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport in Lagos State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agreement was signed on Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark, during a visit by Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, alongside a federal government delegation.
According to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the agreement will pave the way for negotiations on the proposed project, with APM Terminals expressing its commitment to advancing the development.
The MoU was signed by Vincent Clerc, group chief executive officer of A.P. Moller-Maersk, on behalf of APM Terminals, and Didi Ndiomu, managing director of Badagry Port Development Limited and Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Limited.
The federal government said the greenfield project is expected to expand Nigeria’s deepwater port capacity, accommodate larger container vessels and create new transshipment opportunities for Nigeria and the wider West African market.
Oyetola said the federal government remained committed to expanding maritime infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for sustainable private-sector investment.
“Our engagement in Denmark underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of our blue economy,” he said.
The minister said partnerships with leading global terminal operators on greenfield developments such as the Badagry port were central to the government’s efforts to position Nigeria as a major trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
During the visit, the federal government delegation and APM Terminals also discussed the possible extension of the company’s concessions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne.
Igor van den Essen, managing director for Africa and Europe at APM Terminals, said the company’s investments in its existing concessions, alongside the proposed Badagry development, would strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub.
“Additionally, developing Badagry as a greenfield project will further ease congestion in city ports and further open new opportunities,” he said.
Van den Essen said APM Terminals welcomed the government’s ambition to expand trade, attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a maritime gateway in West Africa.
He added that public-private partnerships could help drive long-term investment, improve the business environment and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Ndiomu described the proposed development as a significant new phase in the country’s maritime expansion.
“Investing in maritime infrastructure and especially in Badagry as a greenfield port project together with APM Terminals is the beginning of Nigeria becoming the true maritime capital of sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
Oyetola said the proposed port would complement existing facilities by increasing capacity for larger vessels and handling growing cargo volumes.
He added that the Badagry Deep Seaport could also strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional transshipment hub by handling cargo destined for other West and Central African markets.
