Vessel Traffic Hits 1,201 As Vehicle Imports Grow By 18.3% In Q2

Nigeria’s seaports recorded a significant increase in activity in the second quarter of 2026, with ocean-going vessel traffic rising by 14.4 per cent to 1,201, while vehicle imports jumped 18.3 per cent to 44,147 units.

The latest figures, contained in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Operational Performance Report for Q2 2026, showed broad-based growth in vessel traffic, cargo throughput, container movements and port utilisation compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

The 1,201 vessels recorded between April and June increased from 1,050 in Q2 2025, while vehicle traffic rose from 37,306 units to 44,147 units.

The NPA attributed the increase in vehicle traffic largely to improved automobile imports and exchange-rate stability.

Cargo throughput also grew by 12.3 per cent, from 31.83 million metric tonnes to 35.74 million metric tonnes during the period.

In the cargo breakdown, inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total throughput, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent. Transshipment cargo contributed 488,364 metric tonnes, representing about 1.4 per cent of total throughput.

While inward cargo increased by 7.7 per cent, outward cargo rose by 22 per cent, indicating stronger export activity during the quarter.

The Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of ocean-going vessels similarly increased by 22.2 per cent, from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes.

Service boat operations also recorded strong growth, with completed service boats rising 22.3 per cent from 3,554 to 4,347.

Their associated GRT increased by 62.4 per cent, from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.

Container traffic rose by 11.3 per cent, from 541,229 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs in Q2 2026.

Inward laden containers increased by 6.3 per cent, accounting for about 51.5 per cent of total container traffic, while outward laden containers declined by 3.9 per cent.

Empty container traffic, however, increased by 13.9 per cent, while transshipment container traffic stood at 29,038 TEUs, compared with no recorded movement in Q2 2025.

Speaking on the performance, NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said the growth across key indicators demonstrated the resilience of Nigerian ports and their increasing role in facilitating trade.

“The increase in cargo volumes and ship calls underscores the continued resilience of the nation’s seaports to facilitate trade and be more competitive.”

On vehicle imports, Dantsoho said the increase was indicative of improved automobile import activities attributable largely to stability of the exchange rate.

He also pointed to the growth in transshipment traffic as evidence of the increasing potential of Nigerian ports to become a regional hub.

“The report identified the continued growth in transshipment traffic as a development within the Nigerian port system. The emergence and continued growth of transshipment traffic continues to position Nigerian ports as an emerging regional transshipment hub.

“The on-going Port Modernisation if completed with the sustained investment in infrastructure and commercial engagement with shipping lines will further enhance this opportunity.”

The NPA said the second quarter recorded “encouraging operational performance” across the ports, with sustained growth in ship traffic, cargo throughput, container movements, vehicle traffic and berth utilisation.

Dantsoho said infrastructure renewal and digital transformation would remain central to the authority’s agenda for 2026.

“The centerpiece is the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. The NPA notes both are outdated, Apapa is nearly 100 years old and Tin Can over 50. NPA is also supporting the Lekki and Badagry deep-sea projects to handle larger vessels and revitalising Eastern Ports to reduce Lagos congestion.

“NPA is prioritising the full implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) to streamline operations and reduce manual bottlenecks. This integrates with the National Single Window (NSW) (operational since Q1 2026) to create a unified digital trade ecosystem.

“The authority is enhancing technology-driven security for 24-hour operations and strengthening collaboration with customs agents to tackle congestion and improve cargo evacuation. NPA is positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s trade nerve.

“The expected impact includes faster operations, lower logistics costs, increased trade volumes, and improved export competitiveness,” he added.

Maritime stakeholders welcomed the improved performance but urged the NPA to sustain the momentum through accelerated port modernisation and automation.

A clearing agent, Mukaila Ishola, told LEADERSHIP that the growth in port activity was an indication of an improving economy, stressing that greater automation would further boost performance.

“The NPA report has shown that the economy is fast improving, and the numbers can only get better if we automate and embark on the rehabilitation of our ports.

“The numbers are increasingly improving, and I hope by the third quarter, the vessel, container and vehicle traffic will be more than this,” he stated.