Ports and Cargoe Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group and concessionaire of Terminal C, Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, has set a target of 300,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units for its 2021 business year.
Managing Director of the terminal, John Jenkins, stated on Wednesday that the target, though ambitious, was achievable in view of the company’s impressive 2020 performance, despite the myriads challenges the maritime sector confronted last year.
According to him, in 2020, the terminal recorded an increase of 12,153 TEUs to cap at 242,195 TEUs against 2019’s figure of 230,042 TEUs. The full import figure rose from 109,367 TEUs in 2019 to 122,243 TEUs, while the export of empty containers also increased from 94,041 TEUs in 2019 to 96,605 TEUs in 2020.
It, however, recorded a decline in its full export as it saw 3,287drop from the 2019 figure of 26,634 TEUs to 23,347.
“Despite the harsh business terrain occasioned by the Coronavirus Disease, terrible state of the port access roads and some other hurdles, the terminal still recorded this impressive performance. This is down to proactive business strategy, committed staff, supportive leadership and loyal clients,” he asserted
To boost the terminal’s efficiency, Jenkins further explained that barge operation was given utmost priority with the creation of two dedicated points at the quayside where the barges load and offload with dedicated cranes.
He noted that the barge operation helped in the decongestion of the terminal.
“We now achieve a minimum of 8,000 TEUs for our barge operations monthly. This has greatly improved the terminal’s business offerings and brought great relief to our customers who have had to endure the biting consequence of port congestion primarily caused by poor access roads and the ongoing road construction,” he added.
With all the strategies and modern equipment put in place at the terminal, Jenkins said the company would meet the target of 300,000 TEUs set for itself this year.
Also speaking on the terminal’s performance, the Group Executive Director, SIFAX Group, Mr. Bode Ojeniyi, expressed confidence in the company to surpass the 2021 target.
Ojeniyi said with the impending launch of its e-payment and e-billing platforms, as well as the huge investment in the acquisition of more technological infrastructure, “the terminal is well positioned to deliver an efficient service that will meet the expectations of its customers.”
