Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL) was incorporated in May 2005, as a wholly owned subsidiary company of Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC (FMN). But since 1962 FMN has been operating in Nigerian Seaport, and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has always accorded FMN priority berthing of berths 1 to 3 due to high volume of bulk cargo calling at Apapa Port.

ABTL was set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a corporate entity to participate in Port Concession under the Port Reform exercise carried out by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Following a successful bidding as a Terminal Operator for Terminals A and B, it commenced operation April 2006.

ABTL is managed and operated as a corporate entity independently to offer services on a common user basis to all port stakeholders.