Nigeria’s Ports Record Double-Digit Growth in Cargo, Ship Traffic, Vehicles
By Primetime Reports
The Nigerian Ports Authority has recorded a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, with increases across vessel traffic, cargo volume, container handling and vehicle imports, signaling improved efficiency at the nation’s seaports.
According to the NPA Operational Performance Report, cargo throughput rose to 35.74 million metric tonnes between April and June 2026. This is a 12.3 per cent increase from the 31.83 million metric tonnes recorded in the same period of 2025. Outward cargo led the growth with a 22 per cent rise, while inward cargo grew by 7.7 per cent.
The report showed that ship traffic also improved significantly. A total of 1,201 ocean-going vessels called at Nigerian ports in Q2 2026 compared to 1,050 in Q2 2025, representing a 14.4 per cent increase. The Gross Registered Tonnage of the vessels rose by 22.2 per cent from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes.
Service boat operations recorded even stronger growth. Completed service boats increased by 22.3 per cent from 3,554 to 4,347, while their Gross Registered Tonnage jumped by 62.4 per cent within the period.
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Container handling also went up. The ports handled 602,392 TEUs in Q2 2026 against 541,229 TEUs in Q2 2025, an 11.3 per cent increase. Inward laden containers grew by 6.3 per cent and empty containers rose by 13.9 per cent. Notably, transshipment container traffic returned during the quarter with 29,038 TEUs handled, after recording zero in Q2 2025.
Vehicle traffic followed the same upward trend. The ports processed 44,147 vehicles in Q2 2026 compared to 37,306 in the corresponding period last year. That represents an 18.3 per cent growth, which the NPA linked to improved automobile imports and relative stability in foreign exchange.
The NPA attributed the overall performance to ongoing reforms, infrastructure upgrades, automation and measures to streamline port operations.
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The Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said the growth reflects the resilience of Nigeria’s ports and their increasing capacity to support trade and economic activity. He stated that the authority’s focus for the rest of 2026 will be on major infrastructure projects, digital transformation and efficiency improvements.
Dantsoho said the modernization of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports remains a top priority. He added that the authority is also supporting the development of Lekki and Badagry deep-sea ports, as well as the rehabilitation of Eastern Ports to expand capacity nationwide.
He further disclosed that the NPA is pushing for full deployment of the Port Community System and its integration with the National Single Window, which became operational in the first quarter of 2026.
According to the NPA, the reforms are expected to ease cargo movement, cut logistics costs, reduce bottlenecks and position Nigeria as a competitive maritime hub in the region.
The authority concluded that the Q2 2026 figures show sustained growth in vessel calls, cargo throughput, container traffic, vehicle imports and berth utilization across the port system.
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