One of the subsidiaries of Sifax Group, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHS) has said its strategic decision of refocusing its business primarily on general cargo and break-bulk handling was responsible for its operational rebound in 2025.
According to the firm, the improved performance follows a strategic repositioning of the terminal after a challenging 2024 where it lost some high-profile clients which negatively affected the terminal’s cargo volumes and earnings.
The firm in a statement made available to Maritime Bits stated that the challenges it faced in 2024v propelled it to refocus its operations on general cargo and break-bulk handling, a move that stabilised the business and unlocked a new growth trajectory.
The statement which was signed by Sifax Group, Head Corporate Communications, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akande quoted the Managing Director of PCHS, Mr. John Jenkins saying that the restructuring of its stevedoring activities also played a major role in the recovery process.
Jenkins words: “Our strategic operational reforms played a critical role in the rebound. The company restructured its stevedoring operations, resulting in a significant reduction in operating costs and measurable improvements in productivity following a change in service provider. We also invested in critical equipment such as forklifts and spare parts, while rebalancing our workforce. This included filling key operational roles with competent hands to strengthen service delivery and support higher volumes.”
According to him, looking ahead, the company has projected a significant revenue growth, with general cargo accounting for the largest share of these projections, supported by increased volumes of steel, vehicles, and palletised cargo, as well as higher import flows from Asia into Nigeria.
In order to sustain this growth and cope with expected increase in business volume, the firm has outlined a 2026 capital expenditure that includes investments in crane upgrade, acquisition of additional forklifts, and terminal trucks. These investments will also help at easing capacity constraints, reducing equipment hire costs, and maintaining operational efficiency.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as space constraints and volatility in container shipping services, the management of PCHS expressed confidence in the company’s outlook.
“The lessons learned in 2025 have strengthened our approach to cost control, customer engagement, and operational execution. With demand no longer our primary constraint, our focus in 2026 is on efficient execution, handling higher cargo volumes while protecting margins and sustaining profitability,” Jenkins added.
Maritime Bits checks revealed that PCHS operates as part of the Sifax Group’s port and logistics portfolio, providing specialised cargo handling solutions in the maritime sector of Nigeria’s economy.
