Here’s an update on all major Seaports in Nigeria. Seaports in every country are of great importance when it comes to economic development, increase in employment, and development of infrastructures.
Today the major seaports in Nigeria are managed by Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) but the real question is, has the Nigeria port authority (NPA) done more than enough in fully administrating these top seaports in Nigeria?
Port of Port Harcourt and the Apapa port were the first generation seaports in Nigeria; they were both established in the early 90s.
After the discovery of Enugu coal in 1909 there is need to create a channel to handle the exportation of coal and also make importation easier into the country.
This led to the establishment of the port of Port Harcourt and Apapa seaport; established due to their closeness to the ocean.
In this article you’ll learn more about the top 6 major seaports in Nigeria which are:
- Lagos Port Complex
- Tin Can Island Port
- Calabar Port
- Delta Port
- Rivers Ports In Nigeria
- Onne Port
But first, let’s talk about the Nigerian Ports Authority in charge of all sea ports in Nigeria
Functions of Nigerian Ports Authority
Nigerian Port Authority is a Federal Government agency currently managing sea ports in Nigeria. The Nigeria port authority Head office is located at 26/28 Marina, Lagos.
The Nigerian Port Authority was established in 1955 to carry out public missions and services by the Ports Act of 1954 to tackle the weakness that has framed into the economic and governance dimensions of seaports in Nigeria.
Nigerian port authority is expected to perform the following functions while overseeing all seaports in Nigeria:
- Develop and own property
- Ensure safety and security
- Maintain Port facilities and storage services
- Provide safe and navigable channel
- Offer cargo handling and storage services
- Develop, own and operate ports and harbors
The Headquarters of The Nigeria Port Authority is located in 26/28 Marina, Lagos. P.M.B 12588 Lagos.
- Email: info@nigerianports.org, helpdesk@nigerianports.org
- Tel: +234 01904 6001, +234 01904 6002
List of 6 Major Seaports In Nigeria And Their Location
Below are the five top sea ports in Nigeria and their location, as they contribute to the economic activities in the country:
1. Lagos Port Complex – Lagos Sea Port
Lagos sea port or port complex is located in Apapa Lagos, the western part of Nigeria. The port was established in 1913. The port is the largest and busiest out of all seaports in Nigeria.
The port has undergone so many development and modernization over the years so as to handle cargo more effectively.
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Currently Lagos port complex has five private terminals and personnel that have both local and international experience in port operation.
The terminal operators include AP Moller terminal Ltd. (APMT), ENL consortium Ltd.( ENL), Apapa Bulk terminal Ltd.(ABTL), Greenview Development Nigeria Ltd.( GNDL) and Lilypond Inland container terminal.
So, when asked which town is the most important seaport in Nigeria, you should know it’s in Apapa Lagos local government.
2. Tin Can Island Port
The port is tagged as the second busiest port in Nigeria, located in Tin can Island Apapa Lagos. The port was established in 1975 when another second generation of sea ports in Nigeria was established.
Tin Can port was established to serve as an alternative port in the region because of severe congestion in Lagos port complex when Nigeria experienced an increase in importation and exportation in the 1970s due to the oil boom in the country.
Currently, the port is featured with a capacity of handling 10-16 vessels at a time, a quick turnaround time of vessels and up to date modern equipment.
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3. Calabar Port
The main port in the eastern part of Nigeria and is 6m deep. The port was established to serve as quick access to the eastern and northern part of Nigeria.
In 1969 Federal Government took over the port from previous operators due to lack of facilities in the port and handled the port over to Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to manage it.
The port currently includes Old Port, New Port, Dockyard and rights to some crude terminals.
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4. Delta Port
The seaport is considered as the future hub of seaports in Nigeria as a result of its location. The seaport is located in oil-rich region – Delta state south-south of Nigeria.
Delta port act has a quick access for cargos to connect to some certain states like Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Kogi, Ondo, Benue, Delta, Edo comparing to other sea ports.
Escravos Gas to liquid (EGTL) facilities is about to start production has a capacity way bigger than any sub-Saharan Africa countries. It’s highly believed that after the commencement of the project, Delta port will serve as a new economic growth to the country. The port is 7m deep.
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5. River Ports In Nigeria
River’s Pot act as a distribution center for exportation of the mineral resource. The seaport serves as a multipurpose port because of its capability of handling dry, liquid, and general cargos.
Currently, the port has the capacity to accommodate eight modern seagoing vessels loading and offloading at the same time.
6. Onne Port
Onne Port Complex situated on the Bonny River Estuary along Ogu Creek is the first port of its kind in Nigeria that operated the Landlord Port Model devised to encourage private sector participation in the Port Industry.
Strategically located, the Port is one of the largest Oil and Gas Free Zone in the world supporting exploration and production for Nigerian activities.
The Free Zone provides a logistics Oil Service center for the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria both Onshore and Offshore.
It also provides easy access to the entire West African and Sub-Sahara Oil fields. The Port accounts for over 65% of the export cargo through the Nigerian Sea Port.
There are multiple operations that are carried out in the Port in addition to the Oil and Gas operations. Hence, the Port is a multi-purpose Cargo Port.
Map of Nigeria Showing Seaports
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The Largest Seaport In Nigeria
So, have you been asking; which town is the most important seaport in Nigeria?
One fact about the Apapa port is that it is the only seaport that involves different modes of transportation (Rail, Ship, truck). The port operates a 24 hours service.
The port has 2 logistics bases, 8 jetties, well equipped and capable of handling oversize of cargo. Apapa port is 4m deep water berths back in 1921 and now is 14.5m.
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Last Notes About Seaports In Nigeria
The Nigerian government still has a lot to be done to improve the performance of seaports in Nigeria.
Currently, seaports in Nigeria are facing all such of backward in delivery of more effective services.
For example, there is a need for the Nigerian government to divert their attention to other seaports in Nigeria and decongest Ports of Lagos.
Other seaports in Nigeria are now weak due to the overburden of Apapa and Tin Can ports. These ports are not yet yielding the top standard revenue expected.
Countries like Togo, Senegal, and Benin have made tremendous process over the years in modernization and expansion of their seaports development, even these countries seaport can take bigger ships coming into their sea ports without splitting the goods that they contain.
Nigeria Port Authority still needs to modernize the seaports in Nigeria, reduce the high amount of ports charges which is driving investors away and increase the revenue of the country.