AIM bonded terminal provides end-to-end solutions to logistics problems in Nigeria.

Segun Oladipupo

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In what can be described as a one-stop-shop facility for logistics solutions, Advanced International Merchant (AIM) Nigeria Limited, is a world standard logistics terminal providing end-to-end solutions to logistics problems.

Sitting on an expanse of land, the import and export solution terminals, AIM was Licensed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in 2015, commenced operations in 2016.

Its business concerns range from import, export processing, trucking services, clearing and other sundry services

Advance International Merchant (AIM) Bonded Terminal is situated along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Shagamu, 8 kilometres away from the Redemption Camp gate.

Licensed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as an Export Processing Terminal (EPT), it processes export containers from the hinterland and move same to the port through barges.

Its knack for ostentation, makes the terminal owners to select few among its many prospective clients for excellent service delivery.

Its considerate charges and zero delay in transfer of containers and cargo to its destination, makes the facility the terminal of choice for top importers and exporters in Nigeria.

With its bonded terminal, AIM services is able to offer predictive input costs for customers raw materials or equipment enabling controlled budgeting for imported items.

The standard bonded terminal with modern equipments, uninterrupted electricity power supply, handles about 500 import containers and 200 export containers in a month.

Armed with modern and new handling equipment, the import terminal has the capacity to handle about 5,000 TEUs while the export terminal has the capacity of 2,000 TEUs.

The dedicated 65 trucks to move consignments to and from the terminal to any destination, ensures hitch-free movement of importers and exporters goods.

With over 200 staff strength, AIM Limited boasts of efficient service delivery and prompt service delivery to its numerous multinationals, local big wigs in import and exports businesses.

Taking journalists on the tour of the facility on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the conglomerate, Mr. Cyprian Nwankwo who described the facility as being reliable, added that the terminal offers importers the privilege of predetermined cost to be blessed to play their production cost.

His words, “What we do here basically is to deliver services effectively, we move containers from the port to this terminal, we clear it, we have customs officers resident here and other port agencies including NAFDAC, we clear the cargo here and we deliver it to the customer.

“Basically, we select our customers and this means that we are very conscious of the rules and requirements of the Nigeria Customs Service, we make sure that our name is critical to the survival of our business, so, we choose the kind of business and kind of customers we want to work with.

“We work with multinationals, and some big Nigerian companies. We try to deliver effective service to ensure that production becomes a continuum, you can close the gap in your cost, you can know exactly what you are going to spend from the beginning to the end.

“Sometimes, at the port, you are not able to determine how much its going to cost you to clear your consignments, but here we give you a predetermined cost, so with that, you would be able to pattern your production and put your cost adequately. Our facility is reliable, we move end to end, we have our own trucks and drivers.”

According to Mr. Nwankwo, equipment plays vital role in the success of a bonded terminal which he boasted that the facility has in abundance

Speaking on the TEUs turnover, he said that the terminal handles between 100 to 200 containers per month on export cargoes and 500 to 1,000 containers per month.

While explaining the modus operandi of the terminal, Mr. Nwankwo said that on container movement, “We move our containers by barge from Ikorodu, Kirikiri and other places, from there, our trucks would move it here. We have 65 units of trucks, and they are used mainly for our business, we don’t do trucking for third parties. From here, our export containers go straight to the Barge, and to the port. The time is actually short, it takes four days because of documentation.

“We have already keyed into the new arrangement of the Lekki Port, we cannot miss that kind of opportunity, it is the latest lady in town, if you look at the equipment, the size and how it stands out from congestion, of course you cannot fail to key into the prospects. You must make sure that you key into whatever that is new coming into the sector.

“The Lekki port is just taking off with full operations and we have keyed into the prospect. Currently, we are renting our barges through third parties to move our containers.

For.export cargoes, he said, “We have been licensed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to operate and EPT (Export Processing Terminal) trucks come in here, we seal it and move it to the port effortlessly through the same barging process. Most of the products here are agro products, Soya Beans, Sesame seeds, Ginger among others.

“Equipment is the bedrock of Bonded Terminal operations, we make sure that we have adequate equipment operating here, we have two brand new equipments that we just acquired, this complements the two existing ones, so we have four equipments in the terminal.

When asked the challenges faced by the terminal, he reiterated that the major challenge is the high cost of diesel to fuel our trucks.

“Right now, the diesel has gone up to N1,500 per litre and this is incredible, when you relate it to the cost of doing business, it means that people would have to pay more, and this would have multiplier effect on goods and services we provide and other people provides.”

On power supply, he explained that “When we moved here in 2013, we arranged with government to give us electricity, and we had our own diesel generator to support. But when we saw that this wasn’t working, tried to go independent. We are lucky to have the natural gas pipeline passing through our facility, so we took the opportunity, and right now, we are running on natural gas generators and we are fully independent in terms of our electricity. This is more cost effective for us, we don’t need the electricity to be going off and on, and in the process damage our equipment.

As a way of complementing its Service, the facility has an in-house clearing outfit but it is subject to the choice of the cargo owners.

The terminal also has a personal truck fabrication yard meant to service the company alone.

Asked why it is not commercialised, he said that was subject to future consideration. It also has a weigh bridge where weight of cargoes are measured to determine cost.

The facility also has a standard, world class cold room for preservation of perishable raw materials.

The facility owners also.provide accommodation for truck drivers where they relax while their trucks are being loaded or discharged.

There is also a provision for senior staff members of the organisation. This will avoid lateness to work

Security is topnotch in the facility as trained private guards, police men and military officers provide adequate security for the terminal.