The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, says that the NPA handled 2,300 ships across Nigerian ports in the first half of 2026, representing a 6.9 per cent increase over 2,152 ships in the first half of 2025.
Speaking at the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) quarterly meeting in Lagos, Mr. Dantsoho said that the Gross Registered Tonnage rose by 20.9 per cent to 96.6 million.
Represented by the Principal Manager, Statistics of the NPA, Mrs. Okenwa Igwebuike, the Chairman said that the figure increased from 79.9 million in H1 2025, driven largely by improved performances at Lekki and Onne ports.
Dantsoho said that total cargo throughput rose to 68.2 million metric tonnes from 60.8 million tonnes during the corresponding period in 2025.
He said that the figure represented a 12.2 per cent year-on-year increase across all port locations.
“Inward cargo stood at 38.4 million tonnes, compared with 36.3 million tonnes in H1 2025.
“Outward cargo grew by 23.5 per cent to 29.2 million tonnes during the period under review,” he added.
Dantsoho said that Lekki Port handled nearly 40 per cent of national cargo throughput, with Dangote Refinery operations accounting for over 76 per cent of its cargo traffic.
He said that the Onne Port contributed 22.7 per cent, supported by LNG exports, while Calabar and Rivers ports jointly accounted for slightly above 4 per cent.
The NPA boss explained that container traffic increased 10.3 per cent to 815,236 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), from 739,142 TEUs in H1 2025.
He said that imports accounted for 546,755 TEUs, representing 67 per cent of total container traffic during the period.
“Container exports stood at 203,980 TEUs, representing 25 per cent, while transshipment surged 169.5 per cent to 35,574 TEUs,” he said.
Dantsoho noted that despite the transshipment growth, the segment accounted for only 4 per cent of total container throughput.
According to him, 103,375 vehicles were handled in H1 2026, representing a 42.5 per cent increase from 72,568 units in H1 2025.
He attributed the growth largely to PTML transshipment operations at Tin Can Island Port.
Dantsoho, however, said that vessel turnaround time worsened by 6 per cent to 5.3 days from five days, while overall berth occupancy increased 3.1 per cent to 36.1 per cent.
He described Dangote Refinery as a “game changer”, accounting for about 40 per cent of cargo traffic and stressed infrastructure investment ahead of its planned expansion.
He said that the planned expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day required infrastructure investment and a balanced tariff policy nationwide.
Dantsoho attributed increased container traffic to industrial activities and relative economic stability, describing Onne Port’s growth as positive for balanced port utilisation.
He said the 4 per cent transshipment contribution and absence of transit traffic showed the sector’s dependence on captive cargo.
According to him, developing transit cargo to landlocked neighbouring countries is essential to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a regional maritime hub.
Dantsoho identified insufficient funding as a major challenge, saying the Federal Government’s 50 per cent automatic deduction from government-owned enterprises constrained responses to operational emergencies.
He urged the council to support engagement with the Federal Government for an 80:20 revenue-sharing arrangement in favour of the NPA.
Local media reports stated that the meeting had ‘Simplifying Cross-Border Trade and Enhancing Ease of Doing Business at Our Ports’ as the theme.
GIK/APA