The proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port has received fresh impetus following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by APM Terminals and its development partners to commence exclusive negotiations on the project.
The agreement was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the visit of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, and his delegation. It 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 Ltd., alongside Quinn McGrath Marine and Environmental Services Ltd.
Oyetola said the Badagry project was part of the Federal Government’s wider plan to develop modern deep seaports along Nigeria’s coastline, noting that their naturally deep draft channels would enable them to handle some of the world’s largest vessels, increase cargo capacity and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a maritime and transshipment hub for West and Central Africa.
He said the new deepwater facilities, alongside the modernisation of existing seaports, would improve trade efficiency, strengthen supply chains and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional trade and logistics hub.
APM Terminals’ Managing Director for Africa and Europe, Igor van den Essen, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s maritime ambitions, while Ndiomu described the MoU as an important step towards realising the Badagry Port project.
For residents and stakeholders in Badagry, the development has rekindled hope in the long-awaited project, with expectations that its eventual realisation would create jobs, attract investment, stimulate commerce and accelerate infrastructure and economic development across the area.
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