• Cargo throughput hits 35.7m metric tonnes
• Container traffic rises 11.3%, vehicle traffic 18.3%
• NPA targets infrastructure overhaul, digital transformation
The Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the maritime sector are yielding increased activity at Nigeria’s seaports, with cargo throughput rising by 12.3 per cent and ocean-going vessel calls increasing by 14.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2026.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in its Q2 2026 Operational Performance Report, said cargo throughput increased from 31.83 million metric tonnes in Q2 2025 to 35.74 million metric tonnes during the period under review.
Similarly, the number of ocean-going vessels completed rose from 1,050 to 1,201, while their Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) climbed by 22.2 per cent from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes.
The report also recorded increases in container, vehicle and service boat traffic, indicating broad-based growth across key segments of port operations.
Commenting on the figures, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the growth underscored the resilience of Nigeria’s seaports and their increasing competitiveness in facilitating trade.
“The increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscores the continued resilience of the nation’s seaports to facilitate trade and be more competitive,” he said.
The NPA report showed that inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total cargo handled during the quarter, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent.
Transshipment cargo stood at 488,364 metric tonnes, representing about 1.4 per cent of total throughput.
While inward cargo grew by 7.7 per cent, outward cargo recorded a stronger 22 per cent increase, indicating improved export activity during the period.
Service boat operations also recorded significant growth, with completed operations increasing by 22.3 per cent, from 3,554 in Q2 2025 to 4,347 in Q2 2026.
The associated GRT of service boats rose by 62.4 per cent, from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.
Container traffic rises
Container traffic followed the positive trend, increasing by 11.3 per cent from 541,229 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs in Q2 2026.
Inward laden containers rose by 6.3 per cent and accounted for about 51.5 per cent of total container traffic.
However, outward laden containers declined by 3.9 per cent, while empty container movements increased by 13.9 per cent.
The report also recorded 29,038 TEUs in transshipment container traffic during the quarter, compared with none in the corresponding period of 2025.
The NPA said the development reinforced the potential of Nigerian ports to emerge as a 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, coupled with sustained investment in infrastructure and commercial engagement with shipping lines, would further strengthen the opportunity.
Vehicle traffic up 18.3%
Vehicle traffic also increased significantly, rising from 37,306 units in Q2 2025 to 44,147 units in Q2 2026, representing an 18.3 per cent increase.
The NPA attributed the growth largely to improved automobile import activity and relative stability in the exchange rate during the period.
According to the authority, the overall second-quarter performance showed positive movement in key indicators, including cargo throughput, vessel traffic, container movements, vehicle traffic and berth utilisation.
“The Second Quarter of 2026 recorded encouraging operational performance across the Nigerian ports, with sustained growth in ship traffic, cargo throughput, container movements, vehicle traffic, and berth utilisation,” it said.
NPA plans port overhaul
Beyond the performance figures, the NPA said it was intensifying efforts to modernise port infrastructure and deepen digital transformation as part of measures to improve efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional maritime hub.
Dantsoho said the authority’s major priority for 2026 was a massive infrastructure overhaul supported by digital reforms and improved operational efficiency.
“Stakeholders should expect visible progress on the ground, starting with the groundbreaking of the port modernisation projects,” he said.
He identified the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports as central to the infrastructure agenda, noting that the facilities had become increasingly constrained by age and rising demands.
“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,” Dantsoho said.
He added that the authority was supporting the Lekki and Badagry deep-sea port projects to accommodate larger vessels, while efforts were also being made to revitalise Eastern ports and ease congestion in Lagos.
The NPA boss said the authority was also prioritising full implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) to streamline operations and reduce manual bottlenecks.
According to him, the PCS would complement the National Single Window (NSW), which became operational in the first quarter of 2026, in creating a more integrated digital trade environment.
He said the authority was enhancing technology-driven security for 24-hour port operations and strengthening collaboration with customs agents to tackle congestion and improve cargo evacuation.
“NPA is positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s trade nerve,” Dantsoho said.
The NPA expects the reforms to deliver faster port operations, lower logistics costs, increased trade volumes and improved competitiveness for Nigerian exports.
The Q2 performance comes amid renewed Federal Government efforts to reposition the maritime sector as a major driver of economic growth through infrastructure modernisation, digitalisation and improved port efficiency.
However, sustaining the gains will depend on the pace of infrastructure renewal, efficient cargo evacuation, reduction of operational bottlenecks and the ability of Nigerian ports to attract more direct vessel calls and transshipment business.
For the NPA, the ultimate objective is not merely to handle higher volumes but to translate increased port activity into greater efficiency, lower costs for businesses and stronger competitiveness for Nigeria in the regional maritime economy.
