APM Terminals Nigeria has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, investors, and development partners to accelerate the development of bankable green infrastructure projects that can transform the country’s maritime sector and support its transition to a low-carbon economy.

Chairman, APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, made that call at the second Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria (DIN) Summit in Abuja with the theme: ‘De-risking Green Infrastructure Investments: From Policy Architecture to Bankable Projects.’

Klinke said Nigeria had made significant progress in advancing maritime reforms and climate action, but stressed that the next phase must focus on implementation.

He emphasised the need to translate policy ambition into scalable, investment-ready projects that delivered both economic and environmental benefits.

Klinke noted that maritime transport accounts for over 80 per cent of global trade by volume, making the sector’s decarbonisation critical to achieving climate goals and strengthening long-term economic competitiveness.

He highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity, project readiness, reliable emissions data and stronger integration across ports, roads, rail and inland logistics networks.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and focus on execution, noting that the infrastructure investments and partnerships established today will help shape Nigeria’s future economy, trade competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Also speaking at the summit, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Koen De Backker, mentioned the critical role of ports and terminals in the energy transition, noting that reducing emissions began with improving the efficiency of logistics systems.

He said this could be achieved by reducing equipment usage and fuel consumption, minimising truck waiting times and congestion, improving cargo flow and operational efficiency, supporting cleaner energy solutions and preparing for the adoption of lower-emission technologies.

Personal Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure and representative of the DIN Summit Steering Committee, Musaddiq Adamu, said the summit was established to address a critical challenge: moving green infrastructure projects from concept to investment.

He noted that engagements from previous editions had already produced tangible outcomes, including progress on port electrification initiatives.

According to Adamu, discussions following APM Terminals’ presentation at the inaugural summit contributed to a partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to advance the electrification of port operations and position Onne Port as a leading example of green port development in Nigeria.

As part of its long-term commitment to sustainable logistics, APM Terminals, in partnership with the NPA, planned to invest in green power infrastructure and electric equipment across its Apapa and Onne operations.

The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness while advancing the country’s climate ambitions.