Nigeria’s leading container terminal, APM Terminals at Apapa has restated its commitment to the promotion of environmentally sustainable operation at the port.
The Terminal Manager, APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, said this while addressing journalists in Lagos, noting that the global ambition of the terminal operator is to achieve a net zero CO2 emission in all its operations worldwide.
Knudsen noted that the company has continued to promote awareness of the environmental impact of port operation and taken practical steps to reduce such impacts by minimising pollution and promoting the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic products.
He said the terminal uses cargo handling equipment that is fuel efficient and environmentally sustainable.
“When we buy equipment, we always look at the fuel efficiency of the equipment, and whether alternative options are available. In the future, when we will acquire equipment, we will consider equipment that is either electrified or able to use fuel types with lesser CO2 emissions.
“It is key that there is a strong collaboration between private and public players, to ensure sufficient clear electricity production and distribution is in focus, to make a meaningful impact on industrial emissions.
“We must appreciate the fact that global supply chains have an impact on the environment. A lot of fuel is being consumed to deliver goods to countries around the world, and we must play an active role in reducing this consumption,” he added.
“One of the things we do here is to promote recycling of our used tyres and plastics. We recycle our used tyres into various products such as pavers, which are used to pave the walkways in and outside the terminal. We also promote the collection and recycling of plastics to be turned into other useful products.
“For me, that is a better way to teach our employees about the environment. We educate ourselves on how to manage and repurpose these otherwise environmentally harmful materials as our contribution to create a greener environment for generations to come,” he said.
