Operator Rallies Stakeholders On Safer Port Operations

APM Terminals Apapa has rallied employees, contractors, regulators, and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration towards achieving safer and incident-free port operations.

The Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Mr Kamal Alhraishat, made the call during the commemoration of the 2026 Global Safety Day themed “We Are Safe Together,” stressing that safety must remain the foundation of all port and terminal activities.

Alhraishat described safety as a collective responsibility that extends beyond compliance with rules and procedures, noting that building a strong safety culture requires the active involvement of everyone within the port environment.

“Safety is not just a checklist or a system we follow; it is a way of life at the terminal,” he said. “It means working with genuine care for one another, ensuring that no one operates in isolation and that every individual has the support of a colleague.

“We carry a collective responsibility for everyone within our environment, from co-workers to contractors and customers, and that responsibility must guide every action we take.”

He urged workers and port users to remain vigilant and promptly report unsafe conditions, stressing that prevention remains the most effective strategy for reducing workplace incidents.

“In an environment where operational pressures are inevitable, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to safety,” he noted. “Safety must always come before speed, and every individual must feel empowered to stop an operation if something does not feel right.”

Alhraishat also stressed the need for a workplace culture built on trust, respect, and open communication to ensure concerns are raised early and hazards addressed before incidents occur.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr Frederik Klinke, underscored the importance of teamwork in sustaining safe and efficient port operations.

“Our people are the driving force behind everything we achieve,” he said. “By treating one another with respect and working collaboratively, we not only enhance productivity but also create a safer and more resilient workplace.”

The Chairman of the Board of APM Terminals Apapa Limited, Mr David Skov, commended the company’s safety culture and urged employees to take personal responsibility for the well-being of others in their daily activities.

In his remarks, the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Mr Adebowale Lawal, praised the terminal operator for maintaining strong safety standards, noting that its protocols have contributed significantly to safer port operations.

The Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, also lauded the terminal’s contribution to safety awareness and the reduction of incidents along the port corridor.

Similarly, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Sani Nahuche, commended APM Terminals and the Nigerian Ports Authority for sustaining a drug-free operational environment while urging continued vigilance and compliance.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a fire suppression simulator by the Asset Maintenance team to improve fire prevention and emergency response capabilities within the terminal.
The event ended with the presentation of awards to outstanding staff members in recognition of exceptional safety performance, reinforcing the company’s commitment to safer port operations.