ENL Consortium Nigeria Limited has signed an agreement with Chinese port operator, Lianyungang Port Holding Group Ltd, to deepen investment at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa and boost trade between both countries.

ENL Consortium is the operator of Terminals C and D at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa while Lianyungang Port Holding Group Ltd offers terminal handling, modern logistics, port construction, and other services in China.

The agreement between both companies was signed last Monday at the sixth China-Nigeria Logistics Line Supply Chain Platform Advanced Forum organised by Sinoma International Engineering Co., Ltd in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China.

The Forum was organised as part of activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking during the agreement signing ceremony, the Executive Director of ENL Consortium, Mark Walsh, said, it is pivotal to acknowledge the strides made in fostering international cooperation and enhancing the connectivity of global supply chains.

He said the initiative has not only bridged the infrastructural gap across these two great nations but also facilitated economic growth and mutual development.

Walsh said over the past 17 years, port concession in Nigeria’s maritime sector has been a journey of both triumphs and challenges, while enumerating the gains of port concession to include enhanced port infrastructure, improved operational efficiency, job creation, and increased revenue generation.

He said, however, the pains, such as initial resistance, regulatory hurdles, and security concerns, have taught invaluable lessons and shaped stakeholders strategies moving forward.

Walsh said ENL Consortium has been at the forefront of adopting innovative models in local transportation, refining port operation services, and enhancing the warehousing system to solve prevailing challenges and streamline operations.

He said collaboration at both local and international, is pivotal in harnessing Nigeria’s maritime potential.

“In 2018, ENL Consortium entered into a strategic partnership with Sinoma Cargo International, a Chinese logistics giant, to facilitate the evacuation of cargo from the Lagos Port Complex by utilising innovative barge solutions. This collaboration was aimed at alleviating the persistent gridlock on the port access roads in Apapa, thereby ensuring a smoother and more efficient cargo evacuation process,” he said.

Walsh said Lianyungang Port, one of the top 10 ports in China and among the 30 largest globally, boasts a cargo throughput of 210 million tonnes per year and a container throughput of five million TEU per year.

According to him, Lianyungang Port has been a pivotal point in ENL Consortium strategic alliance, as they have provided transfer of expertise and stevedoring knowledge that has been instrumental in aiding and improving cargo handling in Apapa Port.

He said in addition, they are providing a robust platform for facilitating international trade and logistics of general cargo traffic to Nigeria.