Global Logistics Services Inc. (GLS Group) and APM Terminals (APMT) Liberia have officially partnered to develop the country’s first dedicated Export Processing Center (EPC).
Announced at the EUbLiberia Business Forum in Brussels, the new facility is designed to centralize export operations and significantly improve Liberian shippers’ access to European markets.
The new EPC will introduce several operational upgrades at the Freeport of Monrovia to reduce export costs and improve truck turnaround times. Key facility features include:
- MSME Consolidation: The center will consolidate smaller shipments from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into full container loads (FCL), making ocean freight more accessible and cost-effective.
- On-Site Testing: The facility will provide direct quality and compliance testing to ensure cargo meets strict EU import standards before loading.
- Digital Integration: A fully digitized “OK TO LOAD” workflow integrated with the Liberia Revenue Authority will speed up customs clearance and offer real-time cargo tracking.
By modernising the Freeport of Monrovia’s capabilities, the EPC will help increase overall vessel frequency. More importantly, it directly supports duty-free trade under the EU’s Everything But Arms initiative, linking Liberian exporters to European markets and encouraging a shift toward higher value-added trade.
Rachid Baho, Managing Director of APM Terminals Liberia, noted the broader economic impact. “This Export Processing Facility will modernize the Freeport of Monrovia’s capabilities, reinforcing Liberia’s position as a rising trade hub in West Africa and strengthening our vital commercial ties with Europe,” Baho stated.
Peter Malcolm King, Chairman and CEO of GLS Group, emphasized the operational benefits for local shippers. “By joining forces with a global leader like APM Terminals, we are providing Liberian exporters with the visibility, speed, and cost-effectiveness they need to compete on a global stage,” King added.