*Records 46.75m GRT as Cargo Throughput Hits 32.38m Tons
Fresh facts have emerged that Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a strong operational growth in the first quarter of 2026 with Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for ocean-going vessels rising by 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million.
Besides the increase in GRT, the nation’s seaports situated in Lagos, Onne, Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt also recorded an increase in larger vessels into the country as vehicle traffic jumps not less than 67% within the period.
Similarly, total cargo throughput excluding crude oil terminals also posted strong growth during the quarter, increasing by 11.6 per cent year-on-year to 32.38 million metric tons from 29.02 million metric tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
In the same vein, outward cargo traffic surged by 23.7 per cent to 14.13 million metric tons, reflecting stronger export competitiveness and deeper integration into regional and global supply chains.
Furthermore, outward laden container traffic recorded exceptional growth of 67.6 per cent, rising from 61,332 TEUs in Q1 2025 to 102,803 TEUs in Q1 2026, a performance linked to improved export logistics and terminal efficiency.
The growth underscores the increasing dominance of larger-capacity ships across the nation’s seaports amid ongoing reforms targeted at positioning the country as a regional trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
These were contained in the Q1 2026 Operational Performance Review released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and made available to Maritime Bits at the weekend.
According to the report, the rise in vessel tonnage signals improved cargo-carrying efficiency and growing confidence among international shipping lines in Nigerian ports. The development reflects a strategic shift toward larger and more efficient vessels, driven partly by the operational impact of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and expanding trade demand.
The strong performance comes at a time the federal government is intensifying efforts to modernise Nigeria’s port infrastructure, improve cargo handling efficiency and capture a larger share of regional cargo flows under AfCFTA.
Maritime Bits checks revealed that the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho had recently said Nigeria’s ports must evolve beyond traditional limitations if the country hopes to compete effectively in a rapidly integrating African market.
The NPA helmsman at an industry forum in Lagos, said efficiency, speed, innovation and reliability would determine which countries dominate cargo flows in the new continental trade environment.
His words: “The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources. Our port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth.”
He attributed the growth to rising trade volumes, stronger import and export activities, improved port productivity, and sustained demand for port services.
The report also revealed that vehicle traffic emerged as a major growth area, with total vehicle units handled rising sharply by 67 per cent to 58,870 units during the quarter, compared to 35,262 units in the same period last year.
It further highlighted an 83.1 per cent increase in transshipment container activity, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing relevance within regional maritime trade and logistics networks.
Not a few industry analysts have opined that the increase in transshipment activity is particularly significant because it suggests Nigeria is beginning to attract more regional cargo movement within West Africa, a critical objective as AfCFTA gradually dismantles trade barriers across the continent.
They opined that the maritime reforms being pursued under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have centred on infrastructure upgrades, digitalisation and institutional restructuring aimed at transforming the country into a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.
According to them, a major component of the reforms is the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) and Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) following the approval and signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for $1 billion overhaul of longstanding infrastructure deficiencies for improved port competitiveness.
Maritime Bits had also reported that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola disclosed that procurement processes are underway for upgrade of the nation’s seaports situated in Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar as part of efforts to ensure balanced port development nationwide.
It is on record that in addition to the physical infrastructure upgrades, the Federal Government is pushing an aggressive digitalisation agenda through the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window (NSW) platform to streamline cargo clearance processes, reduce delays and improve transparency.
Not a few stakeholders in the maritime sector of the economy believe these initiatives could significantly lower the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports while improving turnaround time and operational efficiency.
Already, the Federal Government has expanded investments in rail integration, inland dry ports, barging operations and export corridors to improve cargo evacuation and reduce congestion around port corridors.
Another factor that accounted for the successes recorded is the security improvements within Nigerian waters, thereby further strengthening confidence in the sector.
In the same vein, Nigeria has now recorded over four years without piracy incidents, a development attributed to the Deep Blue Programme and enhanced maritime surveillance systems in the country.
According to the NPA, the Q1 performance demonstrates that the maritime sector is evolving into a more cargo-intensive and commercially dynamic ecosystem capable of supporting economic growth, trade facilitation and regional connectivity.
In spite of the successes it has recorded so far, the NPA Managing Director had acknowledged that Nigeria still handles only about 25 per cent of cargo traffic in the West Africa Sub-regions despite accounting for more than 60 per cent of the region’s GDP, stressing that the country must sustain ongoing reforms to fully optimise its maritime potential.
Dantsoho assured that with the sustained commitment to these initiatives, Nigeria’s port system will enter a new phase and emerge as a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.
