Nigerian Ports Handle 44,147 Vehicles As Container Traffic Rises 11.3%

Nigerian ports handled 44,147 vehicles in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, representing an 18.3 per cent increase compared with the 37,306 units recorded in the same period of 2025.

The increase was disclosed in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026, which also showed significant growth in container and cargo traffic during the period.

According to the report, container traffic rose by 11.3 per cent from 541,229 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs in Q2 2026.

The NPA attributed the growth in vehicle traffic largely to improved automobile import activities and greater stability in the foreign exchange market.

Inward laden containers increased by 6.3 per cent during the quarter, accounting for about 51.5 per cent of total container traffic. Outward laden containers, however, declined marginally by 3.9 per cent, while empty container traffic rose by 13.9 per cent.

Cargo throughput also recorded strong growth, increasing by 12.3 per cent to 35.74 million metric tonnes from 31.83 million tonnes recorded in Q2 2025.

Inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of the total cargo handled, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent. Inward cargo grew by 7.7 per cent, while outward cargo surged by 22 per cent, indicating stronger export activity.

The report further revealed that transshipment cargo stood at 488,364 metric tonnes, representing about 1.4 per cent of total cargo throughput, while transshipment container traffic reached 29,038 TEUs.

Vessel traffic also improved during the quarter, with the number of ocean-going vessels rising by 14.4 per cent from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026.

Their gross registered tonnage (GRT) increased by 22.2 per cent, from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes.

Similarly, the number of service boats completed rose by 22.3 per cent from 3,554 to 4,347, while their associated GRT increased by 62.4 per cent from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.

Commenting on the performance, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the growth in cargo volume, vessel traffic, container movements and vehicle traffic demonstrated the increasing capacity of Nigerian seaports to facilitate trade and enhance the country’s competitiveness.

Dantsoho said the rising transshipment activity also highlighted the growing importance of Nigerian ports within the regional maritime system and could strengthen the country’s position as a regional transshipment hub.

He said the NPA’s priority for 2026 was to undertake a major infrastructure overhaul alongside digital reforms and improvements in operational efficiency.

According to him, the modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports remains central to the programme, noting that Apapa Port is nearly 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is more than 50 years old.

He added that the authority was also prioritising the full implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) to streamline port operations, reduce manual bottlenecks and complement the National Single Window (NSW) initiative.

The NPA said the reforms are expected to create a more integrated digital trade environment and further improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.