APM Terminals Achieves 440 Days Without Lost Time Injury, Reaffirms Safety Commitment

APM Terminals Apapa has recorded a major safety milestone, marking 440 consecutive days without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), underscoring the company’s commitment to workplace safety, operational excellence, and the wellbeing of its workforce. The achievement, celebrated at a brief ceremony held at the terminal in Lagos, reflects the firm’s culture of safety awareness and continuous improvement in occupational health practices.

The company, which operates Nigeria’s busiest container terminal, said the feat was the result of deliberate safety strategies, employee training, and adherence to global operational standards. APM Terminals noted that the achievement demonstrates its resolve to maintain a world-class safety record despite the complex nature of port operations and the challenges associated with managing large volumes of cargo daily.

Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Frederik Klinke, commended employees and contractors for their discipline, teamwork, and dedication to maintaining a safe work environment. He stated that the company’s goal is not only to meet but to exceed global safety benchmarks, ensuring that every worker goes home safely at the end of each shift.

According to Klinke, “Reaching 440 days without a Lost Time Injury is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of our collective commitment to safety as a core value. In our line of work, where precision, coordination, and heavy equipment are part of everyday operations, safety must come first at all times. This milestone proves that with the right mindset, procedures, and training, zero-harm operations are achievable.”

He emphasized that the company’s safety culture is built on three key pillars: proactive risk assessment, continuous training, and shared accountability. He explained that employees are empowered to stop any unsafe act or operation without fear of reprisal, and that this principle has significantly reduced accident risks across all departments.

The management also attributed the success to the company’s investment in modern safety equipment, improved communication systems, and regular safety drills designed to prepare workers for potential hazards. Over the past year, APM Terminals has upgraded its terminal safety infrastructure, including the installation of advanced camera monitoring systems, emergency response tools, and enhanced personal protective gear.

During the celebration, union representatives and safety officers applauded the milestone, noting that it reflected the strong collaboration between management and employees. They acknowledged that the company’s safety-first approach has not only reduced workplace injuries but also improved morale, productivity, and trust among workers.

APM Terminals’ Head of Safety, Environment and Sustainability, Mrs. Bola Adesina, stated that the company’s achievement aligns with its global “Safety Differently” initiative, which focuses on empowering people, learning from near misses, and sharing best practices across all terminals worldwide. She noted that the Apapa facility has become a model for safety innovation within the APM Terminals network.

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” she said. “Our teams have shown that when we work together, stay alert, and follow procedures, we can maintain a zero-incident culture. The next goal is to extend this streak even further and to keep improving until zero harm becomes our permanent reality.”

Representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) who attended the event commended APM Terminals for setting a strong example for the industry. They emphasized that safety is a key determinant of operational efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in the maritime sector.

An NPA official remarked that the success recorded by APM Terminals reflects the positive outcomes of the Authority’s collaboration with private terminal operators under the port concession framework. He urged other terminal operators to emulate APM Terminals’ proactive safety management approach, adding that safe terminals mean fewer disruptions, faster cargo handling, and better service delivery.

Industry analysts have described the milestone as a significant accomplishment given the complexity of port operations in Nigeria, where logistics bottlenecks, equipment wear, and human factors often pose safety challenges. They noted that maintaining an LTI-free record for over a year requires consistent vigilance, leadership commitment, and continuous employee engagement.

APM Terminals has also used the occasion to reaffirm its broader sustainability goals, which include environmental protection, employee development, and community engagement. The company pledged to continue investing in technology, automation, and safety innovations to make its operations more efficient and environmentally responsible.

In addition to its focus on safety, APM Terminals has been instrumental in improving port efficiency in Nigeria through digitalization, faster vessel turnaround times, and improved cargo handling capacity. The company recently introduced several automation solutions to streamline terminal operations and enhance cargo visibility for importers and exporters.

The 440-day LTI-free record serves as a benchmark for other logistics and maritime companies operating in Nigeria and across West Africa. It reinforces APM Terminals’ position as a leading player committed not only to business performance but also to the welfare of its workforce and the sustainability of the maritime ecosystem.

As the company aims to extend its LTI-free record, management and staff pledged to remain committed to a culture where safety is non-negotiable. The leadership emphasized that the journey toward zero harm is ongoing and that every employee has a vital role to play in ensuring that the streak continues unbroken.

“Safety is not an achievement that ends,” Klinke added. “It is a daily choice and a shared responsibility. We celebrate today’s milestone, but our real success will be maintaining it for years to come.”