43 vessels laden with fuel, food, others set for Lagos Ports as cargo traffic rises

Maureen Aguta

The Nigerian maritime sector is set for another surge in cargo activities as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) disclosed that no fewer than 43 vessels carrying petroleum products, food supplies and other commodities are expected to berth at Lagos ports between May 26 and June 6.

According to the NPA’s Daily Shipping Position released on Tuesday, the incoming vessels are scheduled to arrive at Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, reinforcing the strategic role of the Lagos port corridor in Nigeria’s import and supply chain network.

The authority stated that eight of the vessels are laden with containerised cargo comprising assorted goods, while the remaining 35 ships are expected to discharge products including premium motor spirit (petrol), aviation fuel, diesel, fresh fish, bulk wheat and general cargo.

The development comes amid sustained efforts to improve cargo throughput and ease pressure on the nation’s seaports.

The NPA also revealed that 11 vessels had already arrived at the ports and were awaiting berthing approvals. The ships are carrying containers, gasoline, bulk fertiliser, crude oil, condensate, diesel, petrol and bulk salt.

In addition, 21 vessels are currently discharging cargoes at the various terminals. The consignments include bulk urea, wheat, sugar, gypsum, millet, petrol, trucks and containerised goods.

Industry stakeholders say the steady influx of vessels reflects increasing commercial activities at the ports and improving confidence in Nigeria’s maritime logistics infrastructure, particularly with the growing operations at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The Lagos ports remain Nigeria’s busiest maritime gateways, handling the bulk of the country’s imported fuel, food items and industrial raw materials.