Nigerian Ports Handle 103,375 Imported Vehicles in H1 2026, Up 42.5% — NPA – Cargo throughput rises 12.2% as Lekki, Onne ports record strong growth

By FRONTLINE REPORTERS

Nigerian ports handled 103,375 imported vehicles between January and June 2026, representing a 42.5 per cent increase over the 72,568 units recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The figures were contained in the Authority’s first-half 2026 performance scorecard presented at the quarterly meeting of the Port Consultative Council (PCC) in Lagos on Thursday.

The NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, who was represented at the meeting by the Principal Manager, Statistics, Mrs Okenwa Igwebuike, said the vehicle traffic growth was driven largely by increased transhipment activity at the PTML Terminal, Tin Can Island Port.

The sharp rise in vehicle handling formed part of a broader improvement recorded across several key port-performance indicators during the six-month period.

Vessel calls increased by 6.9 per cent to 2,152, while gross registered earnings rose by 20.9 per cent, from 79,981,595 in the first half of 2025 to 96,693,108 during the period under review.

Similarly, total cargo throughput across Nigerian ports rose by 12.2 per cent, from 60,844,521 metric tons in H1 2025 to 68,294,210 metric tons in H1 2026. Inward cargo increased by 5.6 per cent, from 36,338,068 metric tons to 38,411,323 metric tons.

Lekki Port emerged as one of the major drivers of the growth, recording a 48.4 per cent increase in vessel calls and accounting for nearly 40 per cent of national cargo throughput.

The NPA attributed much of Lekki Port’s performance to activities associated with the Dangote Refinery, which accounted for about 76 per cent of the port’s cargo traffic during the review period.

Onne Port also recorded significant growth, with vessel calls rising by 26.6 per cent, driven largely by LNG exports. The port accounted for approximately 22.7 per cent of national cargo throughput during the period.

By contrast, Calabar and Rivers ports remained marginal contributors, jointly accounting for slightly more than four per cent of nationwide cargo throughput, while other port locations recorded declines in vessel calls.

Container traffic also maintained an upward trajectory, rising by 10.3 per cent to 815,346 TEUs from 709,142 TEUs in the first half of 2025.

Imports accounted for the largest share of container traffic at 546,755 TEUs, representing 67 per cent of the total, while exports stood at 203,980 TEUs, or 25 per cent.

Transhipment recorded the most dramatic increase in the container segment, jumping by 169.5 per cent from 13,199 TEUs in H1 2025 to 35,570 TEUs in H1 2026. Despite the surge, transhipment accounted for about four per cent of total container traffic.

However, the scorecard also identified challenges, particularly in vessel turnaround time. The average time vessels spent at berth increased to 5.3 days, reflecting a deterioration in performance compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

Dantsoho said the benchmarking exercise was undertaken to provide the PCC with a clear assessment of operational performance and developments across Nigerian ports between January and June 2026, thereby supporting informed strategic decision-making.

The NPA also identified the Dangote Refinery as a major factor shaping the changing cargo profile of Nigerian ports, noting that the facility now accounts for approximately 40 per cent of annual port traffic.

Dantsoho said the refinery’s planned expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day would likely generate additional port-related cargo demand, making further investment in port infrastructure and the adoption of a balanced traffic-distribution policy necessary.

He said such measures would be critical to accommodating rising cargo volumes, improving port efficiency and ensuring that the growing maritime activity translates into greater economic benefits for Nigeria.