• Vessel traffic up 14.4% as transshipment gains momentum
• Container traffic hits 602,392 TEUs, vehicle traffic rises 18.3%
Federal Government reforms in the maritime sector are beginning to yield results, as cargo throughput at Nigerian ports rose by 12.3 per cent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, with vessel, container and vehicle traffic also recording significant increases.
The latest figures are contained in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026, which showed improved activities across most key performance indicators.
According to the report, cargo throughput increased from 31,825,592 metric tonnes in Q2 2025 to 35,740,362 metric tonnes in Q2 2026, representing a 12.3 per cent growth.
Commenting on the development, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, attributed the performance to the resilience of the nation’s seaports and ongoing efforts to improve their competitiveness.
“The increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscores the continued resilience of the nation’s seaports to facilitate trade and be more competitive,” Dantsoho said.
A breakdown of the figures showed that inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total cargo handled, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent.
Transshipment cargo contributed 488,364 metric tonnes, representing about 1.4 per cent of total throughput.
The report further revealed that inward cargo increased by 7.7 per cent, while outward cargo jumped by 22 per cent, indicating improved export activities during the period.
Vessel traffic also recorded substantial growth, with ocean-going vessels completed rising from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026, representing a 14.4 per cent increase.
Similarly, the Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of ocean-going vessels rose by 22.2 per cent, from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes.
Service boat operations also increased during the quarter, with the number of completed service boats rising by 22.3 per cent from 3,554 to 4,347.
The associated GRT also increased by 62.4 per cent, from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.
Container traffic recorded an 11.3 per cent increase, rising from 541,229 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs in the corresponding period of 2026.
Inward laden containers increased by 6.3 per cent, accounting for about 51.5 per cent of total container traffic.
However, outward laden containers declined marginally by 3.9 per cent, while empty container traffic increased by 13.9 per cent.
The report also highlighted a significant increase in transshipment container traffic, which stood at 29,038 TEUs in Q2 2026, compared with no recorded movement in the corresponding period of 2025.
According to the NPA, the development reflects the growing importance of transshipment operations within the Nigerian port system and the potential for the country to emerge as a regional transshipment hub.
Vehicle traffic also increased by 18.3 per cent, with Nigerian ports handling 44,147 vehicles in Q2 2026, compared with 37,306 units in Q2 2025.
The authority attributed the increase largely to improved automobile import activities and relative stability in the exchange rate during the period.
The NPA said the continued growth in transshipment traffic was positioning Nigerian ports as an emerging regional transshipment hub.
“The emergence and continued growth of transshipment traffic continues to position Nigerian ports as an emerging regional transshipment hub,” the report stated.
It added that completion of ongoing port modernisation projects, sustained infrastructure investment and stronger commercial engagement with shipping lines would further enhance the opportunity.
Overall, the report said Q2 2026 recorded encouraging operational performance across the Nigerian ports, particularly in ship traffic, cargo throughput, container movements, vehicle traffic and berth utilisation.
Dantsoho said the authority’s major priority for 2026 was a comprehensive infrastructure overhaul, complemented by digital reforms and measures aimed at improving operational efficiency.
He said stakeholders should expect visible progress, beginning with the groundbreaking of port modernisation projects.
According to him, the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports remains central to the NPA’s plans, given the age and capacity limitations of the facilities.
“The centerpiece is the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. The NPA notes both are outdated—Apapa is nearly 100 years old and Tin Can over 50,” he said.
Dantsoho added that the authority was also supporting the Lekki and Badagry deep-sea port projects to accommodate larger vessels, while revitalising the Eastern Ports to help reduce pressure on Lagos ports.
He said the NPA was prioritising the full implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) to streamline port operations and eliminate manual bottlenecks.
The system, he explained, would integrate with the National Single Window (NSW), which became operational in the first quarter of 2026, to create a unified digital trade ecosystem.
The NPA boss further said the authority was deploying technology-driven security measures to support 24-hour port operations while strengthening collaboration with customs agents to tackle congestion and improve cargo evacuation.
He said the reforms were aimed at positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s trade hub, with expected benefits including faster port operations, lower logistics costs, increased trade volumes and improved export competitiveness.
