NPA: Nigeria’s Maritime Sector Records Historic Surge in Activity

By Love Oyedokun

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has released its 2025 Operational Performance Report, which reveals a significant increase in cargo throughput, container traffic, and export volumes. The report highlights the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification and positions Nigeria as a competitive player in regional and global trade.

Cablenews24 reports that the report shows that total cargo throughput surged by 24.8 percent, rising from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025. This growth is attributed to an increase in export volumes, which accounted for 39.0 percent of total cargo throughput. Imports continue to dominate overall cargo traffic, representing 59.2 percent, while transshipment contributed 1.8 percent.

Containerized cargo, a key indicator of export trade activity, grew significantly, with total container traffic increasing by 25.7 percent, surpassing 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Export containers grew by 3.1 percent, while import-laden containers surged by 32.8 percent. The report also notes a remarkable 205.8 percent increase in transshipment containers, signaling Nigeria’s emergence as a pivotal regional logistics and trade hub.

The report identifies Lekki Port as the leading port in Nigeria, handling 40.6 percent of the nation’s total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 percent, and Apapa Port handled 16.7 percent. Lekki Port also attracted the largest vessels, with an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port at 53,022 GRT.

The report underscores a structural shift in vessel traffic, with Lekki and Onne Ports increasingly receiving the industry’s “heavyweight” vessels, enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to handle larger, more valuable cargoes. Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship arrivals, accounting for 22.7 percent of total ship calls. Total ship calls rose by nearly 12 percent to 4,477 vessels, reflecting broad-based growth across all operational metrics.

Liquid bulk cargo, including fuel and chemicals, remained the dominant commodity at 54.7 percent, while containerized cargo accounted for 24 percent. Analysts note that the increasing size and sophistication of vessel traffic, coupled with container growth, points to a maritime sector gradually aligning with global shipping standards.

The report highlights the rising importance of transshipment cargo, particularly for containerized goods destined for other West and Central African ports. The 205.8 percent surge in transshipment containers positions Nigeria as a strategic regional hub, attracting international shipping lines and increasing revenue for the Nigerian Ports Authority.

The 2025 NPA Operational Performance Report signals a transformative phase in Nigeria’s maritime industry. Export-led growth, rising container traffic, and the strategic role of Lekki Port illustrate that the nation is not only handling more cargo but is also diversifying the type of goods moving through its ports.

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The growth in exports and transshipment reflects the success of policy reforms aimed at reducing reliance on oil revenues, while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in regional trade. The report reinforces the Federal Government’s efforts to expand non-oil exports, attract investment into port infrastructure, and integrate Nigeria more fully into global supply chains.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, expressed confidence that the next phase of growth will be driven by the Federal Government-approved bold port modernization programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system.

It may interest you to know that the comprehensive port modernization project is designed to overhaul ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, rehabilitate quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s port network.

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