FG Reforms Yield Results As Nigerian Ports Record 12.3% Growth In Cergo, 14.4% Rise In Vessel Traffic
FG Reforms Yield Results As Nigerian Ports Record 12.3% Growth In Cergo, 14.4% Rise In Vessel Traffic
…Outward Cargo Jumps 22%, Transshipment Gains Traction, Container Traffic Hits 602,392 TEUs
By Success Okezie
The federal government’s reform agenda in the maritime sector is beginning to pay off, with the *Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA* recording significant growth across key operational indicators in the *Second Quarter of 2026.
According to the NPA Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026*, Nigerian ports saw increases in cargo throughput, vessel calls, container traffic, and vehicle imports — signaling improved efficiency, trade facilitation, and growing investor confidence.
The Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho*, described the performance as proof of the resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s seaports.
“The increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscores the continued resilience of our seaports to facilitate trade and remain competitive in the region,” Dantsoho stated.
Highlights of Q2 2026 Performance
* Cargo Throughput Up 12.3%
Total cargo handled rose to 35,740,362 metric tonnes* in Q2 2026, up from *31,825,592 metric tonnes* in Q2 2025 — representing a 12.3% increase.
* Inward cargo*: 56.8% of total throughput. Grew by 7.7%
Outward cargo*: 41.9% of total throughput. Jumped by 22% reflecting stronger export performance
*Transshipment cargo*: 488,364 metric tonnes, about 1.4%* of total volume
* Vessel Traffic and Tonnage Surge
The number of ocean-going vessels that called at Nigerian ports increased by *14.4%*, from *1,050 vessels in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026*.
Gross Registered Tonnage, GRT, also climbed by *22.2%* to *49.95 million tonnes*.
Service boat operations recorded even stronger growth:
22.3% increase* in number of service boats — from 3,554 to 4,347
62.4% increase* in GRT — from 1.06m to 1.73m tonnes
* Container and Vehicle Traffic Grow*
Container traffic rose by *11.3%* to *602,392 TEUs* from 541,229 TEUs in Q2 2025.
– Inward laden containers: up *6.3%*, accounting for *51.5%* of total traffic
– Outward laden containers: dipped slightly by *3.9%
– Empty containers: up *13.9%
– *Transshipment containers*: 29,038 TEUs. No movement was recorded in Q2 2025, showing new momentum in Nigeria’s hub ambitions
Vehicle traffic also grew by *18.3%*, with *44,147 units* handled in Q2 2026 compared to 37,306 units in Q2 2025. NPA attributed the rise to improved automobile imports driven by exchange rate stability.
Transshipment: Nigeria’s Emerging Hub Status*
The report identified the growth in transshipment as a major development.
“The emergence and continued growth of transshipment traffic is positioning Nigerian ports as an emerging regional transshipment hub. With ongoing port modernisation, sustained infrastructure investment, and commercial engagement with shipping lines, this opportunity will be further enhanced,” the report stated.
What’s Next: Port Modernisation and Digital Reform*
Dr. Dantsoho said NPA’s core priority for 2026 is a *massive infrastructure overhaul backed by digital reforms*.
Key initiatives include:
*Modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports* — Apapa is nearly 100 years old, Tin Can over 50
*Support for Lekki and Badagry Deep Sea Ports* to accommodate bigger vessels
*Revitalization of Eastern Ports* to reduce pressure on Lagos *Full rollout of the Port Community System, PCS*, integrated with the *National Single Window, NSW*, which became operational in Q1 2026
*Technology-driven security* for 24-hour port operations
*Stronger collaboration with customs agents* to ease congestion and improve cargo evacuation
“Stakeholders should expect visible progress on the ground, starting with the groundbreaking of port modernisation projects,” Dantsoho said.
“The expected impact includes faster cargo turnaround, lower logistics costs, increased trade volumes, and improved export competitiveness.”
The Q2 2026 report shows that Nigeria’s ports are on an upward trajectory. With sustained growth in ship traffic, cargo, containers, and vehicles, the NPA says the foundation is being laid for Nigeria to become *West Africa’s trade nerve center
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