By Joshua Yousouph
The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) Helpdesk Portal System, known as PortCallAssist, recorded a total of 48 ship arrivals across Nigerian seaports in the first quarter of 2026, with no complaints reported during the period under review.
According to a Port Call Report Summary data sourced by Shipping Position Daily from the MACN Helpdesk Online Portal system, the figures showed that January and February each recorded 12 vessel arrivals, while March witnessed a significant increase with 24 ship calls. Notably, no operational complaints were logged on the platform throughout the three-month period.
The PortCallAssist platform is a web-based feedback mechanism designed for users of Nigerian seaports and terminals to document both positive and negative experiences during port operations. It enables port users—including vessel operators, shipping agents, and other stakeholders to report grievances, monitor the resolution process, and generate data-driven insights to support compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures.
Industry observers note that the absence of complaints during the quarter may indicate improved operational efficiency and compliance within the port system, although it could also reflect evolving reporting patterns among users.
Beyond the Q1 2026 snapshot, historical data from the PortCallAssist Online Portal System, spanning from January 2020 to date, provides deeper insight into vessel traffic patterns and port usage across the country.
The data shows that Tin Can Island Port dominates port calls with a total of 478 recorded visits, accounting for the largest share of vessel traffic within the period under review. Lagos Port Complex followed with 195 visits, while Lagos Port Complex (Apapa) recorded 118 visits.
Other ports captured in the dataset include One Port with 89 visits, Port Harcourt Ports with 73, and Lekki Deep Sea Port with 61 visits, reflecting growing activity at Nigeria’s newest deep-sea infrastructure. Warri Port and Calabar Port recorded 29 and 17 visits respectively, indicating comparatively lower vessel traffic.
At the terminal level, Bonny Terminal emerged as the most active with 166 visits, followed by Escravos Oil Terminal with 98 and Forcados Terminal with 97 visits. Additional high-activity terminals include Qua Iboe Terminal with 42 visits, Dangote Terminal with 41, Odudu Terminal with 38, and Egina Terminal with 31 visits.
Mid-tier activity was recorded at Bonga Terminal (28 visits), Agbami Terminal (27), and Erha Terminal (23), while several other terminals recorded lower, single-digit frequencies, highlighting disparities in operational traffic across facilities.
Further analysis of the data suggests a growing reliance on the platform as a credible channel for escalating challenges encountered during port calls and cargo clearance processes. The steady accumulation of port call data since 2020, combined with the zero-complaint record in Q1 2026, underscores the evolving role of PortCallAssist in promoting transparency, operational efficiency, and accountability within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Stakeholders maintain that such data-driven insights are critical for policy formulation, infrastructure planning, and improving service delivery across the nation’s port ecosystem, as the MACN initiative continues to drive integrity through real-time feedback and analytics.
