Nigeria’s maritime sector marked a new chapter in cost-efficient and sustainable trade as the MV Sapphire, Gold Star Line’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containership, berthed at APM Terminals in the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, on Monday.
The vessel, built in 2024 and sailing under the flag of Singapore, has a capacity of 7,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Its arrival represents a major leap forward in cleaner, more efficient shipping operations serving Nigeria and the wider West African region, a development expected to ease logistics costs and improve trade conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that rely heavily on imports and exports.
At the reception ceremony, the managing director of Lagos and Niger Shipping Agency Limited (LANSAL), which represents Gold Star Line in Nigeria, described the event as a historic milestone. He explained that Gold Star Line, one of Nigeria’s oldest shipping agencies established in 1958, remains committed to customer service and trade facilitation. The MV Sapphire’s arrival, he noted, is more than a routine docking, it is a strategic move to cut voyage costs, enhance operational efficiency, and advance environmental sustainability in maritime logistics.
He added that the vessel marks the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, expressing optimism that sister ships would soon follow, further strengthening the country’s maritime capacity.
Also speaking, the commercial manager of APM Terminals Apapa described the docking as a significant achievement for the port and the nation’s shipping industry. He highlighted the global shift toward reduced emissions in line with international sustainability targets and praised LANSAL for deploying LNG-powered vessels that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This, he said, aligns with APM Terminals’ own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals of transitioning to cleaner energy sources and reducing carbon footprints.
Representing the port manager of the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, the chief port security officer commended Gold Star Line and LANSAL for their foresight and investment in modern shipping solutions. He pointed out that the maritime sector is evolving as larger, more efficient vessels begin calling at Nigerian ports. LNG-powered ships, he explained, are not only essential for addressing climate change but also for lowering operational costs and unlocking economies of scale, factors that directly benefit the cost structure of trade for MSMEs.
The Nigeria Customs Service also hailed the berthing of the MV Sapphire as a transformative moment. Representing the Apapa Command controller, a deputy comptroller congratulated both the shipping line and the terminal operator for ushering in a new era of maritime transportation. He praised the adoption of LNG technology as a bold step towards a cleaner and more efficient logistics chain and reiterated Customs’ commitment to seamless trade facilitation and creating an enabling environment for businesses in Apapa to thrive.
With shipping costs and environmental pressures among the top challenges for Nigerian MSMEs involved in cross-border trade, the introduction of LNG-powered vessels could mark a turning point. By reducing voyage expenses, improving supply chain efficiency, and supporting cleaner trade routes, the arrival of the MV Sapphire is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of small businesses and open new opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving trade landscape.
