Nigerian Ports Record 12.3% Rise in Cargo Throughput as Vessel Traffic Jumps 14.4%

• Outward cargo rises 22% as transshipment traffic gains momentum

By Olumide Johnson

Nigeria’s seaports recorded higher cargo throughput, vessel traffic, container movements and vehicle traffic in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) Q2 2026 Operational Performance Report.

Cargo throughput rose by 12.3 percent to 35.74 million metric tonnes from 31.83 million metric tonnes recorded in Q2 2025, while the number of ocean-going vessels handled increased by 14.4 percent to 1,201 from 1,050.

The report showed that inward cargo increased by 7.7 percent, while outward cargo recorded stronger growth of 22 percent. Inward cargo accounted for 56.8 percent of total throughput, compared with 41.9 percent for outward cargo.

Transshipment cargo stood at 488,364 metric tonnes, representing about 1.4 percent of total cargo handled during the quarter.

The Gross Registered Tonnage of ocean-going vessels also increased by 22.2 percent, from 40.87 million tonnes in Q2 2025 to 49.95 million tonnes in Q2 2026.

Container traffic rose by 11.3 percent to 602,392 TEUs from 541,229 TEUs in the corresponding period of 2025. Inward laden containers increased by 6.3 percent, while outward laden containers declined by 3.9 percent and empty containers increased by 13.9 percent.

Transshipment container traffic also emerged as a notable development, reaching 29,038 TEUs during the quarter compared with no recorded movement in Q2 2025.

The NPA said the increase in transshipment traffic reflected the growing importance of the activity within the Nigerian port system and could strengthen the country’s prospects of becoming a regional transshipment hub.

Vehicle traffic increased by 18.3 percent to 44,147 units from 37,306 units in Q2 2025. The authority attributed the increase largely to improved automobile import activity amid greater exchange-rate stability.

Service boat operations also recorded growth, with completed operations rising by 22.3 percent to 4,347 from 3,554, while the associated Gross Registered Tonnage increased by 62.4 percent to 1.73 million tonnes.

Commenting on the performance, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscored the resilience of Nigerian seaports and their capacity to facilitate trade and improve competitiveness.

Dantsoho said the authority’s 2026 priorities include infrastructure modernisation, digital reforms and improved operational efficiency, with the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports at the centre of the programme.

He said the NPA was also supporting the Lekki and Badagry deep-sea port projects, revitalising Eastern Ports and prioritising implementation of the Port Community System to reduce manual bottlenecks.

According to the NPA, the Q2 performance reflected encouraging growth across most operational indicators, particularly ship traffic, cargo throughput, container movements, vehicle traffic and berth utilisation.