The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has revealed a significant surge in containerised exports, indicating a remarkable 44.43% increase to 226,456 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023 compared to 156,790 TEUs recorded in the previous year.
In a statement released by the NPA, the authority attributed this impressive growth to the licensing of ten export processing terminals, which facilitated export activities at Nigerian seaports. These terminals provided streamlined processes for export operations, integrating quality control, cargo assessment, and statutory checks by government agencies into a one-stop shop model. This initiative aimed to eliminate bureaucracy and delays that had previously hindered the competitiveness of Nigerian exports in the global market.
The NPA emphasized that this surge in container exports played a pivotal role in deepening Nigeria’s balance of trade and promoting non-oil exports, aligning with the national objective of strengthening the naira.
To enhance port efficiency and embrace global best practices, the NPA initiated barge operations services, which not only alleviated road congestion but also became a significant revenue stream, generating an estimated N2 billion annually from direct investments and associated economic activities.
The adoption of barge transportation significantly improved port-hinterland connectivity, evidenced by a notable increase from 80,244 TEUs in 2022 to 118,046 TEUs in 2023.
Furthermore, the NPA reported an increase in ship calls, with the number of vessels rising from 1,997 in 2022 to 2,179 by the end of 2023. This growth was attributed to ongoing efforts in dredging channels, installing buoys, and enhancing security along port channels.
Highlighting its strategic initiatives, the NPA underscored the operational milestones achieved at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Nigeria’s first fully automated port, which processed 6,076 TEUs of transshipment cargo. This development reflects the agency’s commitment to catering to the maritime needs of landlocked neighboring countries while reclaiming lost cargo traffic.
In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, the NPA emphasized its revenue diversification efforts through public-private partnerships focused on areas such as independent power production, bunkering stations, logistics, freshwater provision, and ship repairs and maintenance.
Furthermore, the agency announced advancements in its Revenue Invoice Management System (RIMs 2.0) to strengthen revenue management and minimize leakages.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Ship Management Limited, the NPA deployed a vessel traffic service to bolster domain awareness capacity across its locations, enhancing security and responsiveness to emerging threats and vulnerabilities within the maritime domain.
