Export-laden containers jump 1,085% as vessel traffic, container volumes and trade activity surge
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reported a sharp rise in port activity, recording a 1,085 per cent increase in export-laden containers as total cargo throughput climbed to 33.52 million metric tonnes in the third quarter of 2025.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Authority described the performance as one of its strongest quarterly showings in recent years, pointing to growing trade activity and improved operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Operational data released over the weekend showed that total cargo handled during the period rose by 16.2 per cent, from 28.84 million metric tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 to 33.52 million metric tonnes in Q3 2025.
Container operations emerged as a major driver of the improved performance. According to the NPA, total container traffic increased by 18.9 per cent to 546,931 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared with 460,038 TEUs recorded in the same period of 2024.
Within this figure, import-laden containers grew by 33.1 per cent to 268,713 TEUs, up from 201,839 TEUs a year earlier. Export-laden containers recorded the most dramatic growth, surging to 69,039 TEUs from just 5,812 TEUs in Q3 2024.
The Authority noted that the sharp rise in export-laden containers contributed to a 21.5 per cent reduction in empty container traffic, signalling a better balance between imports and exports and reflecting stronger non-oil export activity.
Ship traffic also recorded notable growth during the quarter. Vessel calls increased by 8.4 per cent to 1,074 ships, from 991 vessels recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. At the same time, total gross registered tonnage rose by 18 per cent to 42.64 million, compared with 36.13 million a year earlier, indicating that Nigerian ports are increasingly accommodating larger vessels.
A breakdown of ship calls by port location showed that Tincan Port recorded the highest share at 22.7 per cent, followed closely by Apapa Port at 22.2 per cent. Onne Port accounted for 18.9 per cent, while Lekki Port followed with 18.4 per cent. Calabar Port recorded the lowest share at 2.1 per cent.
Analysis by vessel size revealed that Lekki Port received the largest ships during the quarter, with an average gross registered tonnage of 57,244. Onne Port followed with an average of 51,276 GRT, while Apapa and Tincan Island Ports recorded average vessel sizes of 35,556 and 34,400 GRT respectively. Delta Ports received the smallest vessels, with an average size of 18,677 tonnes.
Further analysis of cargo throughput by port showed that Lekki Port was the dominant growth driver, accounting for 46.8 per cent of total cargo handled in the third quarter of 2025. Onne Port contributed 17 per cent, followed by Apapa Port with 15.1 per cent and Tincan Island Port with 10 per cent. Calabar Port again recorded the lowest share.
By cargo type, liquid bulk accounted for the largest portion of throughput at 53.8 per cent. Containerised cargo followed with 26.6 per cent, while dry bulk and other general cargo accounted for 11.3 per cent and 8.2 per cent respectively.
Commenting on the figures, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, attributed the strong performance to the Federal Government’s export-focused economic reforms and rising investor confidence. He said the results reflect improved efficiency across all pilotage districts.
Dantsoho added that ongoing port modernisation efforts, the deployment of export processing terminals, and the expansion of digital platforms such as the electronic truck call-up system have helped reduce congestion, improve turnaround times, and strengthen the role of Nigerian ports in regional and international trade.
Nigeria has continued to record steady growth in containerised exports in recent years, with the third-quarter performance reinforcing the country’s push to diversify trade and deepen non-oil export capacity.
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