PIL’s containers handled by APM Terminals hits 1m TEUs

APM Terminals Apapa Limited, one of the four leading container terminals in the world, has this year handled over 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of Pacific International Lines’ (PIL) containers.

Statistics released by the company shows that PIL container volume handled by APM Terminals grew steadily in the last four years from 433,000 in 2009 to a projected 1,079,131 in 2013. Further breakdown shows that the volume grew by 48 percent in 2010 to 641,000 TEUs; in 2011, the volume grew by 24 percent to 797,000 TEUs; in 2012, the trade volume recorded 15 percent growth to 915,000; while in 2013 the volume recorded 15 percent growth to 1,079,131 TEUs.

In an event to celebrate the 1 million TEUs, Neil Fletcher, chief commercial officer of APM Terminals Apapa, said PIL is a big customer to APM Terminals in Africa, Asia and South America, noting that the event was to celebrate the successful partnership between the two companies.

“We have solid business relationship with PIL in Africa and we will continue to expand the business. We work closely with PIL in Singapore head office and in their local offices. We anticipate and understand their needs through excellent working relationship with our relevant departments,” Fletcher said.

Responding, Jack Langrishe, managing director of PIL Nigeria Limited, affirmed that PIL has worked closely with APMT since Nigerian ports were concessioned.

“Both import and export volumes have grown ahead of the market in Apapa, Onne and other ports. It is much to the credit of APMT that the investments made have enabled both the market and PIL to grow. PIL has a very clear focus on the growth in West Africa. And, with the introduction of our WAFMAX ships mid-2014, there is hope to celebrate again,” he said.