(DDM) – The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the arrival of 22 vessels loaded with petroleum products, frozen fish, and other essential goods at the Lagos seaports, signalling an uptick in maritime activity across Nigeria’s busiest commercial hub.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the vessels are currently being offloaded at the Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Lekki Deep Sea Ports, following a steady inflow of imports aimed at stabilising food and energy supplies nationwide.
According to the NPA’s latest publication, Shipping Position, the incoming ships are discharging various commodities including petrol, ethanol, general cargo, containers, buckwheat, bulk sugar, gasoline, bulk urea, and bulk wheat, products critical to both domestic consumption and industrial manufacturing.
The NPA also revealed that six additional ships are currently anchored offshore, awaiting berthing clearance to discharge bulk wheat and general cargo once dock space becomes available.
Furthermore, the agency disclosed that 17 more ships are scheduled to arrive between October 29 and October 31, 2025, carrying petroleum products, frozen fish, base oil, bulk sugar, containers, and other general cargo to further strengthen market availability and supply chain stability.
Officials say the increased ship traffic reflects Nigeria’s growing import demand and the government’s push to streamline port operations through infrastructural improvements and digital reforms under the Port Process Automation System (PPAS) introduced in 2024.
Speaking to DDM, a senior NPA logistics officer, Captain Musa Lawal, explained that improved coordination between the Nigerian Navy, Customs Service, and port terminal operators has enhanced vessel turnaround time, reducing port congestion and demurrage charges for importers.
“This steady flow of vessels is evidence that Nigeria’s port system is recovering its rhythm after global disruptions caused by the pandemic and foreign exchange volatility,” Lawal said.
He added that the arrival of ships carrying petroleum products will help address recent reports of fuel scarcity in parts of Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
“Once offloading and distribution are completed, we expect more consistent petrol supply nationwide,” he assured.
DDM also learned that the incoming frozen fish and wheat cargoes could provide temporary relief in food prices, especially as traders prepare for the year-end festive period when consumer demand peaks.
However, some maritime experts warn that without addressing infrastructure decay around Apapa and Tin Can Island corridors, the increased ship arrivals may worsen traffic congestion and slow down cargo evacuation.
Dr. Nkem Chukwu, a maritime economist, told DDM that although digital reforms have improved documentation processes, physical bottlenecks remain a major concern.
“Many of the access roads to Apapa Port are still in poor condition, and truck queues often stretch for kilometres. Until we fix those roads and expand the rail link, delays will persist,” Chukwu said.
He emphasised that improved port logistics could save the country billions of naira annually lost to inefficiency and port-related demurrage fees.
In addition to road repairs, the federal government has been working on reviving the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Rail Line, which connects Apapa Port directly to northern Nigeria, to enhance inland freight movement.
Industry observers also point out that the opening of the Lekki Deep Sea Port has begun to ease pressure on Apapa and Tin Can, offering deeper berths and faster handling facilities for larger container vessels.
The NPA has pledged to maintain transparency and efficiency in port management while supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes plans to make Nigeria a regional trade hub in West Africa by 2030.
Meanwhile, importers are calling on the government to stabilise the foreign exchange market, arguing that fluctuating exchange rates continue to affect import costs despite improvements in port handling.
“The dollar is still too high. Even though ships are coming, clearing costs are still unbearable,” said Chijioke Okafor, a clearing agent at Tin Can Port, during an interview with DDM.
As Lagos remains the heart of Nigeria’s maritime trade, the arrival of these 22 vessels underscores the ports’ central role in driving national commerce, ensuring food security, and sustaining industrial productivity amid global supply chain challenges.
With additional vessels expected before the end of October, stakeholders anticipate a busy trading period that could shape Nigeria’s import and export balance heading into the final quarter of 2025.