Nigeria Port Cargo Growth: Exports Jump 22% as Q2 Traffic Surges
Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a significant boost in the second quarter of 2026, with outward cargo rising by 22 per cent as increased vessel calls, container movements and overall cargo throughput strengthened activities across the country’s seaports.
The latest Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026 showed that total cargo throughput increased by 12.3 per cent year-on-year, climbing from 31.83 million metric tonnes in the corresponding quarter of 2025 to 35.74 million metric tonnes.
The performance provides a broader indication of increasing trade activity at Nigerian ports, particularly as outward cargo grew considerably faster than inward cargo.
According to the report, inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total throughput and increased by 7.7 per cent, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent and surged by 22 per cent.
The NPA described the outward cargo performance as evidence of improved export activity during the period.
Vessel traffic also strengthened significantly.
The number of ocean-going vessels handled at Nigerian ports rose from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026, representing a 14.4 per cent increase.
Gross Registered Tonnage of ocean-going vessels increased even faster, rising by 22.2 per cent from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes.
Container operations equally recorded double-digit growth, with traffic rising by 11.3 per cent from 541,229 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs during the period under review.
One of the notable developments was the emergence of 29,038 TEUs of transshipment container traffic, compared with no recorded transshipment container movement in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Transshipment cargo generally allows goods destined for another location to be transferred between vessels at an intermediary port. Growing activity in this area could strengthen Nigeria’s ambition to compete for regional maritime business.
The NPA said the development demonstrated the growing importance of transshipment operations and could help position Nigerian ports as an emerging regional transshipment hub.
Vehicle handling also rose sharply during the quarter.
A total of 44,147 vehicles passed through the ports compared with 37,306 units in Q2 2025, representing an increase of 18.3 per cent.
Service boat activities recorded another major expansion, with completed service boats rising by 22.3 per cent from 3,554 to 4,347.
The associated Gross Registered Tonnage jumped by 62.4 per cent, increasing from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.
Commenting on the figures, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the increases in cargo volumes and ship calls demonstrated the resilience of Nigerian seaports and their capacity to facilitate trade and become more competitive.
The latest figures also put greater attention on Nigeria’s ongoing port modernisation programme.
The NPA has identified infrastructure renewal, digital reforms and improved operational efficiency among its major priorities for 2026.
Modernisation of the ageing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports is expected to form a significant part of the infrastructure programme, alongside efforts to strengthen other ports and improve Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness.
The authority is also prioritising the Port Community System as part of efforts to streamline port processes, reduce manual bottlenecks and build a more integrated digital trade environment.
While the Q2 figures show broad-based growth, sustaining the momentum will require continued improvements in cargo evacuation, infrastructure, customs processes, logistics costs and turnaround times.
The 22 per cent increase in outward cargo is particularly significant for an economy seeking stronger export earnings and greater diversification.
If the growth in exports, transshipment activities and larger vessel calls can be sustained alongside port modernisation, Nigeria could strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive West African maritime market.
The Q2 performance therefore goes beyond an increase in ships arriving at Nigerian ports. It points to expanding trade volumes and an opportunity for the country to convert its strategic location and growing port activity into greater regional maritime influence.
