Cargo Volume at Lagos Ports Jumps 90%

Cargo traffic at Lagos ports has surged, with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reporting that 18 vessels are scheduled to berth at Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports this week, carrying a mix of containers, bulk commodities, petroleum products, and general cargo.

According to NPA’s Shipping Position, the vessels are expected to deliver 6,985 containers (FCL units) and 284,585 metric tons of cargo, representing an 89.7% increase compared to the 152,017 metric tons recorded the previous week.

APMT is set to receive the largest share, with four container vessels carrying 3,554 FCL, followed by Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) with two vessels bringing in 800 FCL.

Major shipping lines including Maersk, COSCO, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and Ocean Network Express will handle the rest.

Among the vessels scheduled are the MSC GEORGIA II with 300 FCL, the HUDSON petroleum tanker with 30,000 metric tons of AGO, and the MAERSK CAPE COAST with 1,171 FCL.

Bulk carriers such as the ELLIREA and DESERT LION are also expected, bringing wheat and other commodities.

The schedule continues through mid-February, with ships like the UNITY EXPLORER delivering 55,000 metric tons of sugar and the MANDARIN carrying 9,000 metric tons of malt.

The final vessel, the DESERT OASIS, is expected on February 16 with over 54,000 metric tons of wheat.

Last week, 20 vessels berthed at Lagos ports, carrying more than 10,000 containers, 152,000 metric tons of cargo, and 1,150 used vehicles — a significant increase compared to the previous week’s figures.

Industry experts say the rising cargo volumes reflect growing confidence in Nigeria’s economy, with the diverse mix of goods underscoring the ports’ ability to handle varied trade requirements.

Stakeholders believe the trend signals an economic rebound, with higher cargo throughput expected to stabilise supply chains, support industrial growth, and strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.