By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
CARGO THROUGHPUT rose by 12.3 per cent to 35.7 million metric tonnes across Nigerian ports in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting increased cargo movement, vessel traffic and container activity.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), disclosed this in the authority’s Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026, made available to the media on Monday in Lagos.
The report showed sustained improvement in key operational indicators, with the Federal Government’s maritime reforms yielding results in trade facilitation and port competitiveness.
Dantsoho said cargo throughput increased from 31.8 million metric tonnes recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 to 35.7 million metric tonnes in Q2 2026.
In terms of trade type, inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total throughput, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent. Transshipment cargo contributed 488,364 metric tonnes, representing approximately 1.4 per cent of total throughput.
Inward cargo increased by 7.7 per cent, while outward cargo grew by 22 per cent, demonstrating improved export performance, Dantsoho said.
Vessel traffic also recorded significant growth during the quarter, with completed ocean going vessels rising by 14.4 per cent from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026.
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 also recorded strong growth. Completed service boats increased by 22.3 per cent to 4,347, while associated Gross Registered Tonnage rose by 62.4 per cent to 1.73 million tonnes.
Container traffic increased by 11.3 per cent to 602,392 twenty foot equivalent units from 541,229 TEUs in the corresponding period of 2025.
Inward laden containers rose by 6.3 per cent and accounted for 51.5 per cent of container traffic, while outward laden containers declined marginally by 3.9 per cent. Empty container traffic increased by 13.9 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2025.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that the transshipment container traffic stood at 29,038 TEUs in Q2 2026, compared with zero recorded in Q2 2025, reflecting growing importance of transshipment operations within the Nigerian port system.
Vehicle traffic also increased by 18.3 per cent to 44,147 units from 37,306 units. Dantsoho attributed the increase to improved automobile imports driven largely by exchange rate stability.
He said the increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscored the resilience and competitiveness of Nigerian ports in facilitating national and regional trade.
Dantsoho said the NPA’s priority for 2026 was a massive infrastructure overhaul alongside digital reforms.
He also noted that key projects include the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can ports, as well as developments at the Lekki and Badagry deep sea ports.
He added that full implementation of the Port Community System and National Single Window would streamline operations, reduce costs and position Nigeria as West Africa’s trade nerve centre.
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