Lekki Deep Sea Port is inching toward half of its installed capacity, signalling a promising start to Nigeria’s first deep-sea port. With container throughput rising month after month since September, the port’s growth story is catching the attention of shippers, cargo owners, and policymakers alike. A year-end media briefing shed light on the factors driving this momentum and what it means for Nigeria’s maritime trade and regional logistics.

Rising Throughput: The Numbers Behind the Momentum

• The port is approaching 50% operational capacity, reflecting steady growth in container throughput (TEUs) since September.
• The uptick is attributed to growing confidence among shipping lines and cargo owners in Lekki Port’s capabilities as Nigeria’s first deep-sea facility.
• Container traffic has shown a consistent month-on-month improvement, underscoring Lekki Port’s increasing role in national and regional trade.

Key Enablers of Growth

• Multimodal Connectivity: Efficient connections to land and sea routes are crucial for sustaining growth. Barge operations have emerged as a vital evacuation channel, currently handling about 10% of cargo movement from the facility.
• Road Infrastructure: The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project is expected to improve access and ease congestion around the port, enhancing reliability and turnarounds for vessels and cargo.
• Rail Connectivity: While road and barge links are growing, rail remains indispensable given the scale of industrial activity developing along the Lekki corridor. There is an expectation that rail services will be provided to support long-term capacity and efficiency.

Automation and Digitalisation: Reducing Dwell Time

• Lekki Port is described as a fully automated terminal. Yet, stakeholders emphasise that to realise the full benefits of automation, end-to-end digital processes must be embraced by all parties, including government agencies.
• Customs procedures and other port services need comprehensive digitalisation, including electronic cargo examinations, to achieve significant reductions in cargo dwell time.
• Closer collaboration among terminal operators, Customs, customers, and other service providers is essential for automation to deliver its full benefits. Integration between Customs systems, the terminal operating system, and customers’ platforms is already on an agreed implementation timeline.
• The overarching message: for automation to work efficiently, all players — customers, government, and stakeholders — must be ready to adopt and integrate digital processes.

Operational Vision: Beyond the Numbers

• The leadership envisions that improved connectivity and operational efficiency will enable the port to effectively double its throughput capacity through performance optimisation, without the need for further physical expansion.
• A guided terminal tour highlighted the port’s functioning areas, including the Customs examination zone, scanning facilities, and shipside operations—illustrating a hands-on approach to modern, integrated port operations.

Quotes from Leadership

• “I believe the train option is something the government is concerned about, and with the level of industrial activities in this region, we expect that it will be provided.” — Wang Qiang, MD/CEO, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited
• “For automation to work efficiently, all players must be ready — customers, government and every stakeholder. Only then can we have a fantastic system.” — Captain Jedrzej Mierzewski, MD, Lekki Freeport Terminal
• “Operational delays could persist until all stakeholders, particularly government agencies, fully embrace end-to-end digital processes.” — Captain Jedrzej Mierzewski

What This Means for Nigeria’s Maritime Future

• Short-term: Lekki Port’s rising throughput signals a steadier, more reliable gateway for regional trade, helping to de-congest other Nigerian ports and offering shippers a competitive alternative.
• Medium-term: With improved multimodal connectivity, including road and rail, the port can sustain higher volumes, reduce dwell times, and attract more shipping lines.
• Long-term: The push toward digitalised, end-to-end processes across customs and port services could set a benchmark for efficiency in Africa’s port ecosystem, encouraging investment and accelerating industrial activity along the Lekki corridor.

Potential Challenges to Watch

• Digital adoption: Achieving full digitalisation across all agencies and stakeholders is critical and may require policy alignment, training, and investment.
• Rail development: Timely rail connectivity will be pivotal to sustaining growth, especially as container volumes scale.
• Coordination: Integrating systems across multiple agencies and private operators demands robust governance and clear timelines.

Takeaways for Readers

• Lekki Port is not just about new berths; it’s a forward-looking, automated terminal aiming to reshape Nigeria’s maritime throughput.
• The 50% capacity milestone is a signal of confidence from shippers and a positive indicator for the Nigerian economy.
• The real game-changer will be the seamless digital collaboration among all actors, unlocking faster cargo movement and cleaner supply chains.

• Lekki Port is approaching 50% capacity as container throughput climbs month by month, backed by multimodal connectivity and a push toward end-to-end digital processes. A transformative moment for Nigeria’s maritime sector. #LekkiPort #NigeriaMaritime #LogisticsInnovation