The Nigerian Ports Authority has recorded significant growth in second quarter of 2026, with cargo throughput, vessel traffic and container movements rising sharply across Nigerian ports nationwide.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), made this known in an Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026 and made available to the media on Monday in Lagos.
The report showed sustained improvement in key indicators, the Federal government’s maritime reforms were yielding results, boosting trade facilitation and port competitiveness significantly.
Dantsoho said that cargo throughput rose by 12.3 per cent to 35.7 million metric tonnes in Q2 2026, up from 31.8 million metric tonnes recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
He said that the trade type showed inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total volume, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent. transshipment cargo contributed 488,364 metric tonnes.
The NPA boss said that Inward cargo increased by 7.7 per cent, while outward cargo grew by 22 per cent, demonstrating improved export performance.adding that transshipment represented approximately 1.4 per cent of total throughput.
Dantsoho noted that vessel traffic also improved significantly while Ocean-going vessels completed rose by 14.4 per cent from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026, indicating increased shipping activities.
“Gross Registered Tonnage of ocean-going vessels grew by 22.2 per cent to 49.95 million tonnes from 40.87 million tonnes, reflecting larger vessel calls at Nigerian seaports.
“Service boat operations recorded strong growth. Completed service boats increased by 22.3 per cent to 4,347, while associated GRT rose by 62.4 per cent to 1.73 million tonnes.
“Container traffic increased by 11.3 per cent to 602,392 TEUs from 541,229 TEUs. Inward laden containers rose by 6.3 per cent and accounted for 51.5 per cent,”Dantsoho said.
He said that outward laden containers declined marginally by 3.9 per cent adding that empty container traffic increased by 13.9 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
Dantsoho said that transshipment container traffic stood at 29,038 TEUs against zero recorded in Q2 2025 saying that its reflected growing importance of transshipment operations within the Nigerian port system.
“Vehicle traffic also rose by 18.3 per cent to 44,147 units from 37,306 units. The increase was attributed to improved automobile imports driven largely by exchange rate stability,” he said.
The NPA managing director said the increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscored port resilience and competitiveness in facilitating national and regional trade.
Dantsoho said 2026 priority is massive infrastructure overhaul with digital reforms adding that the key projects include modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can ports, with Lekki and Badagry deep-sea developments.
He added that full implementation of Port Community System and National Single Window would streamlined operations, reduce costs and position Nigeria as West Africa’s trade nerve center.
