THE PROSPECTS OF INTERMODAL RAIL FREIGHT TRANSPORT OF CARGOES FROM APAPA LAGOS SEAPORT TO HINTERLAND TOWNS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Efficient and effective movement of goods is very crucial in today’s competitive environment especially for developing countries like Nigeria, suffering from the growing challenges of inland freight transportation and crippling logistics costs which limit her competitive ability in the global economy. The development of ‘combined transport’, intermodal transport’ and ‘multimodal transport’ could provide new opportunities for the transport industry in Nigeria as a viable alternative to tackle the challenges associated with lengthy delays in cargo movement, increased cost of transport logistics and the negative environmental impacts of carbon emissions. This paper aims at evaluating the prospects of rail freight transport of cargoes from Apapa Lagos seaport to hinterland towns in Nigeria. Both primary data and Secondary data were retrieved from National Bureau of Statistics, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Nigeria Shipper’s Council, Lagos state Transport statistics and Nigerian Ports Authority and some other selected materials on the subject matter. The findings of this paper reveal a huge differential cost from Apapa seaport to the 7 different hinterland towns in Nigeria that could save importers and exporters when rail transport is used as an alternative mode of transport instead of road transport mode. This study shows that an increase in the usage of rail to haul goods in and out of the Lagos seaport hub would bring relief to the Apapa metropolis if adequate attention is given to it by the government.