Lagos ports have seen a significant spike in vessel traffic, with 40 cargo-laden ships scheduled to berth at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Lekki Deep Sea Ports between June 30 and July 10. The vessels are carrying a diverse range of goods, including petroleum products, grains, fertilisers, containers, and used vehicles—marking a rebound in import activity and maritime trade.
The Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) Daily Shipping Position indicates that Apapa Port will receive 14 vessels, Tin Can 20, and Lekki Deep Sea Port six. While this surge reflects an uptrend in commercial imports, experts caution that uneven berth occupancy and clearance delays could undermine port efficiency.
At Apapa Port, bulk agricultural products dominate. The Endless Horizon is delivering 51,500MT of gypsum, while Sea Diamond 1 will discharge 49,000MT of sugar at Greenview Development Terminal on June 30. ABTL Shipping’s Spring Lotus is also set to bring in 55,750MT of wheat—the largest single bulk import in this cycle.
Fuel imports remain steady, with tankers like Central offloading 37,000MT of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Alfred Temile 10 delivering 13,500MT of butane gas to Petroleum Wharf Apapa.
Container activity is robust at APM Terminals, with three Maersk ships—Maersk Pangani, RDO Glory, and Maersk Zambezi—collectively discharging 3,150 TEUs on June 30. Seasmile is expected to add another 720 TEUs on July 2.
At Tin Can Island Port, the momentum continues with 20 scheduled vessels. Ports & Terminal Multiservices Ltd (PTML) will receive nearly 900 imported used vehicles aboard Grande Angola, Silver Glory, and Great Abidjan.
Grain imports are significant, with Endeavor expected to discharge 25,902MT of wheat and Venezia bringing in 38,200MT. The fuel segment remains active, as tankers like AMIF, Capt Gregory, Leste, and Lady Doyin deliver over 75,000MT of PMS and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across various terminals.
Despite the inflow, terminal data reveals declining berth occupancy rates—dropping by 10–15%—with idle berths in Terminals A to D. Analysts point to poor road access, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and clearance delays as persistent issues.
Though it handles fewer vessels, Lekki Deep Sea Port’s cargo throughput remains high due to the size of ships. The 333-meter Horten is expected to berth on July 2 with 265,171MT of crude oil—the largest shipment this period.
Container shipments are also notable. CMA CGM’s Monaco, Magellan, and Port Gdynia will offload over 2,000 full container loads, bolstering Lekki’s growing role in Nigerian trade. Fuel imports are led by tankers like Fatima Zarah and Precious Adelaide, bringing AGO and Jet A1 respectively.
Despite the activity, analysts observed over 30 vacant berths across the Lagos maritime corridor, raising questions about the efficiency of scheduling and cargo evacuation. “Port statistics reflect deeper economic shifts. When you see this much grain and fertiliser coming in, it’s because we’re not producing enough locally,” maritime expert Jeremiah Okezie noted.
With over 10,000 containers and more than 400,000MT of cargo expected in two weeks, stakeholders are urging port authorities to scale up infrastructure and tackle logistical gridlocks. Terminal managers warn that global freight volatility and forex instability could impact future scheduling.
Industry players say Nigeria’s ports—especially the Lekki Deep Sea Port, with its modern handling capacity—have the potential to become key trade hubs if systemic issues are addressed. They are calling on the Federal Government to prioritize road infrastructure, digital clearance systems, and intermodal transport to support growing cargo volumes.
As the second half of 2025 begins, the resurgence in vessel activity across Lagos ports underscores renewed trade momentum. However, unlocking the full economic potential of these gateways will depend on addressing port congestion, improving coordination between regulatory agencies, and investing in long-term infrastructure upgrades.