By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the maritime sector appear to be yielding positive results, as cargo throughput at Nigerian ports rose by 12.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, alongside significant increases in vessel, container and vehicle traffic.
The latest performance figures were contained in the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) Operational Performance Report for the Second Quarter of 2026, which showed broad-based growth across major port activity indicators.
According to the report, total cargo throughput increased from 31,825,592 metric tonnes recorded in the second quarter of 2025 to 35,740,362 metric tonnes in Q2 2026, representing a 12.3 per cent increase.
The report attributed the development to sustained growth in port activities, noting that the increase in cargo volumes and vessel calls underscored the resilience of Nigerian ports and their capacity to facilitate trade.
Commenting on the performance, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the authority remained focused on infrastructure renewal, digital transformation and operational efficiency.
An analysis of the cargo figures showed that inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total cargo handled during the period, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent. Transshipment cargo contributed 488,364 metric tonnes, representing about 1.4 per cent of total throughput.
While inward cargo grew by 7.7 per cent, outward cargo recorded a stronger 22 per cent increase, indicating an improvement in export activities during the quarter.
Vessel traffic also recorded significant growth, with the number of ocean-going vessels completed increasing from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026, representing a 14.4 per cent rise.
The Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of ocean-going vessels similarly increased by 22.2 per cent, from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes within the period under review.
Service boat operations also expanded significantly. The number of service boats completed rose from 3,554 to 4,347, representing a 22.3 per cent increase, while their associated GRT jumped by 62.4 per cent from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.
Container traffic followed the positive trend, increasing by 11.3 per cent from 541,229 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs in the corresponding quarter of 2026.
The report stated that inward laden containers increased by 6.3 per cent and accounted for approximately 51.5 per cent of total container traffic.
Outward laden containers, however, declined marginally by 3.9 per cent, while empty container traffic increased by 13.9 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
A notable development during the quarter was the emergence of transshipment container traffic, which stood at 29,038 TEUs compared with no recorded transshipment container movement in Q2 2025.
The NPA said the development reflected the growing importance of transshipment operations within the Nigerian port system and could strengthen the country’s position as a regional maritime hub.
Vehicle traffic also recorded an 18.3 per cent increase, with 44,147 units handled in Q2 2026 compared with 37,306 units in Q2 2025.
According to the report, the increase was indicative of improved automobile import activities, which it attributed largely to greater stability in the exchange rate during the period.
The NPA further identified the continued growth in transshipment traffic as an opportunity for Nigeria to emerge as a major regional transshipment centre.
It said the ongoing port modernisation programme, sustained investment in infrastructure and increased commercial engagement with shipping lines would be critical to fully exploiting the opportunity.
Overall, the authority said the second quarter recorded encouraging operational performance across the Nigerian ports, with growth in ship traffic, cargo throughput, container movements, vehicle traffic and berth utilisation.
Dantsoho said the NPA’s core priority for 2026 was a massive infrastructure overhaul supported by digital reforms and improvements in operational efficiency.
He said stakeholders should expect visible progress on the ground, beginning with the groundbreaking of port modernisation projects.
According to him, the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports remains central to the authority’s infrastructure agenda, noting that both facilities have become outdated after decades of operation.
He added that the NPA was also supporting the development of the Lekki and Badagry deep-sea port projects to accommodate larger vessels, while efforts were being made to revitalise the Eastern Ports and reduce pressure on Lagos-based facilities.
Dantsoho also disclosed that the authority was prioritising the full implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) to streamline port operations, reduce manual bottlenecks and improve efficiency.
The PCS, he explained, would complement the National Single Window, which became operational in the first quarter of 2026, thereby creating a more integrated digital trade environment.
He said the NPA was equally deploying technology-driven security measures to support 24-hour port operations while strengthening collaboration with customs agents and other stakeholders to address congestion and improve cargo evacuation.
Dantsoho said the combined reforms were aimed at positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s trade nerve centre, with expected benefits including faster port operations, lower logistics costs, increased trade volumes and improved export competitiveness.
