NPA Records 32.38 Million Tons Cargo Throughput In Q1 2026

Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026 as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced a 19.5 per cent increase in vessel tonnage and an 11.6 per cent rise in cargo throughput.

According to the NPA’s Q1 2026 Operational Performance Review, vessel tonnage increased to 46.75 million Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), reflecting the growing deployment of larger-capacity vessels at Nigerian ports.

The Authority attributed the development to improved port efficiency, increased trade activities and the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The report showed that total cargo throughput, excluding crude oil terminals, rose to 32.38 million metric tons, compared to 29.02 million metric tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The NPA explained that the improved performance was driven by higher import and export activities, enhanced port productivity and sustained demand for port services.

Further analysis revealed that outward cargo traffic grew by 23.7 per cent to 14.13 million metric tons during the review period, indicating stronger export activities and Nigeria’s increasing integration into regional and global supply chains.

Similarly, outward laden container traffic surged by 67.6 per cent from 61,332 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in Q1 2025 to 102,803 TEUs in Q1 2026.

Vehicle traffic also recorded significant growth, with total vehicle units handled increasing by 67 per cent to 58,870 units from 35,262 units within the same period last year.

The report also highlighted an 83.1 per cent rise in transshipment container activity, underscoring Nigeria’s growing strategic importance in regional maritime trade and logistics.

Speaking at an industry forum in Lagos recently, the Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, stressed the need for Nigeria’s port system to move beyond traditional operational limitations to remain competitive under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He stated that the country must fully harness its marine resources, noting that the port system has the potential to serve as a major driver of economic growth.

Dantsoho added that efficiency, innovation, speed and reliability would determine the countries that dominate cargo flows across Africa in the coming years.

The latest performance comes amid ongoing reforms in the maritime sector under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at strengthening infrastructure, digitalisation and institutional efficiency.

Part of the reforms includes the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a $1 billion infrastructure overhaul designed to improve port competitiveness.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed that procurement processes were ongoing for the upgrade of the Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar ports to ensure balanced port development across the country.

The Federal Government is also advancing the deployment of the Port Community System and the National Single Window platform to streamline cargo clearance processes, reduce delays and enhance transparency within the nation’s port system.