NRC, APM commence Lagos-Ibadan cargo train with 35 containers 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in collaboration with APM Terminals, Apapa, has resumed the Lagos-Ibadan cargo train with 35 containers departing the Lagos Port container terminal for Moniya in Ibadan, Oyo state.

At the re-launch of the Lagos-Ibadan cargo train on the standard gauge rail, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, stated  that the train haulage will take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with each train trip carrying 35 wagons of 35 by 40ft or 35 wagons of 70 by 20ft containers or a mixture of both sizes.

The NRC MD said: “I am delighted to officially welcome you to the flag-off of container movement from Apapa to Moniya in Ibadan on the standard gauge rail.

“Though, NRC and APM Terminals have a long history of doing business of container traffic to places in the hinterland of Nigeria such as; Kaduna, Kano, but it is mainly on the narrow gauge lines.

“However, container traffic movement by rail on the standard gauge in and out of APM Terminals to Moniya freight yard in Ibadan commenced on September 2023 with the likes of Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics blazing the trail among other customers using the single “transitional line” in APMT.

“Two additional lines are at an advanced stage of completion in APMT which will bring the total lines within the APMT standard gauge corridor to three lines.”

Opeifa noted that, while the milestone event marks the commencement of container traffic expansion on the standard gauge rail Line from APMT Terminal to Moniya Ibadan Freight yard, it will facilitate the import and export of commodities with adequate convenience and hitch-free vehicle movement.