All Functional Seaports in Nigeria: Locations & Functions
Nigeria is a country located in West Africa and is known for its vast oil reserves and diverse economy. With a coastline of over 853 kilometers, Nigeria has a number of seaports that are critical to the country’s economy. These seaports serve as gateways for international trade, allowing for the import and export of goods to and from Nigeria.
There are several major seaports in Nigeria, each with its own unique location, functions, and activities. These ports include Lagos Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port Complex, Calabar Port Complex, Rivers Port Complex, Onne Port, and Delta Port. These ports serve as important hubs for cargo handling and are responsible for the import and export of a variety of goods, including oil, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.
However, it is important to note that not all of these seaports are functional. Some have been affected by poor infrastructure, lack of investment, and corruption. Despite these challenges, the Nigerian government has made efforts to revitalize these ports and improve their operations. As such, it is crucial to understand the current state of these seaports, their functions, and their activities in order to fully appreciate their role in Nigeria’s economy.
ALL SEAPORTS IN NIGERIA
Nigeria is home to several seaports that play a significant role in the country’s economy. These seaports are responsible for facilitating the import and export of goods to and from Nigeria. Below are some of the major seaports in Nigeria:
LAGOS PORT COMPLEX
The Lagos Port Complex is located in Apapa, Lagos State. It is the largest and busiest seaport in Nigeria, covering an area of about 200 hectares. The port complex was established in 1914 and has since undergone several expansions to accommodate the increasing volume of trade in Nigeria. The Lagos Port Complex is responsible for handling a significant portion of Nigeria’s imports and exports.
RIVERS PORT COMPLEX
The Rivers Port Complex is located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It is one of the oldest seaports in Nigeria and has been in operation since 1913. The port complex is responsible for handling a wide range of cargo, including oil and gas products, machinery, and consumer goods. The Rivers Port Complex also has facilities for the storage and handling of bulk cargoes.
DELTA PORT
The Delta Port is located in Warri, Delta State. It is one of the major seaports in Nigeria and is responsible for handling a significant portion of the country’s oil and gas exports. The port complex has facilities for the storage and handling of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other bulk cargoes.
CALABAR PORT COMPLEX
The Calabar Port Complex is located in Calabar, Cross River State. It is one of the seaports in Nigeria that is responsible for handling a wide range of cargo, including containers, general cargo, and bulk cargoes. The port complex has facilities for the storage and handling of various types of cargo, including perishable goods.
ONNE PORT COMPLEX
The Onne Port Complex is located in Onne, Rivers State. It is one of the seaports in Nigeria that is responsible for handling a wide range of cargo, including oil and gas products, containerized cargo, and general cargo. The port complex has facilities for the storage and handling of various types of cargo, including hazardous materials.
TIN CAN ISLAND PORT COMPLEX
The Tin Can Island Port Complex is located in Apapa, Lagos State. It is one of the seaports in Nigeria that is responsible for handling a wide range of cargo, including containerized cargo, general cargo, and bulk cargoes. The port complex has facilities for the storage and handling of various types of cargo, including perishable goods.
FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF SEAPORTS IN NIGERIA
Below are the various functions of Nigeria’s seaports, including their activities.
CARGO HANDLING
One of the primary functions of seaports in Nigeria is to handle cargo. This includes general cargo, bulk cargo, and containerized cargo. The seaports provide facilities for loading and unloading cargo from ships and vessels. Terminal operators use specialized equipment like cranes, forklifts, and conveyor belts to handle cargo efficiently.
CONTAINER TERMINAL
Container terminals are an essential part of seaports in Nigeria. They provide facilities for the handling and storage of containerized cargo. The terminals are equipped with modern container handling equipment like gantry cranes, reach stackers, and straddle carriers. The terminals also provide services like customs clearance, cargo inspection, and documentation.
BULK CARGO TERMINAL
Bulk cargo terminals are designed to handle large quantities of loose cargo like grains, ores, and coal. The terminals have specialized equipment like grabs, hoppers, and conveyors to handle bulk cargo efficiently. The terminals also provide facilities for storage and blending of bulk cargo.
OIL AND GAS TERMINAL
Oil and gas terminals are specialized facilities that handle petroleum products like crude oil, refined products, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The terminals have specialized equipment like loading arms, pipelines, and storage tanks to handle petroleum products safely and efficiently.
CRUDE OIL TERMINALS
Crude oil terminals are specialized facilities that handle crude oil from oil wells. The terminals have specialized equipment like loading arms, pipelines, and storage tanks to handle crude oil safely and efficiently. The terminals also provide facilities for blending and storage of crude oil.
PETROLEUM TERMINALS
Petroleum terminals are specialized facilities that handle refined petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The terminals have specialized equipment like loading arms, pipelines, and storage tanks to handle petroleum products safely and efficiently. The terminals also provide facilities for blending and storage of petroleum products.
LOGISTICS BASES
Logistics bases are specialized facilities that provide support services to the oil and gas industry. The bases provide facilities for the storage, maintenance, and repair of oil well equipment like drilling rigs, pipelines, and subsea equipment. The bases also provide facilities for the transportation of oil well equipment by road, rail, and sea.
FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF SEAPORTS IN NIGERIA
In this section, we discuss the functional and non-functional Nigeria’s seaports.
FUNCTIONAL SEAPORTS
Currently, there are five functional seaports in Nigeria. These seaports are responsible for the majority of the country’s maritime activities, including import and export of goods, oil and gas exports, and other commercial activities. The functional seaports in Nigeria are:
- Lagos Port Complex
- Tin Can Island Port Complex
- Calabar Port Complex
- Rivers Port Complex
- Onne Port
The Lagos Port Complex is the oldest and largest seaport in Nigeria, established in 1913. It is located in Apapa, Lagos State, and is responsible for the majority of Nigeria’s maritime trade. The Tin Can Island Port Complex is located in Apapa, Lagos State, and is responsible for handling containerized cargo in Nigeria. It is the second-largest seaport in Nigeria. The Calabar Port Complex is located in Cross River State and is responsible for the export of agricultural products, solid minerals, and general cargo. The Rivers Port Complex is located in Rivers State and is responsible for the export of crude oil, petroleum products, and other commodities. The Onne Port is located in Rivers State and is responsible for the export of oil and gas products, as well as other industrial products.
NON-FUNCTIONAL SEAPORTS
There are several non-functional seaports in Nigeria. These seaports are currently not operational due to various reasons, including lack of maintenance, inadequate infrastructure, and security challenges. Some of the non-functional seaports in Nigeria are:
- Warri Port Complex
- Koko Port Complex
- Bonny Port Complex
- Sapele Port Complex
The Warri Port Complex is located in Delta State and was once a major seaport in Nigeria. However, due to inadequate maintenance and infrastructure, it is currently non-functional. The Koko Port Complex is located in Delta State and was once a major seaport in Nigeria. However, due to security challenges and inadequate infrastructure, it is currently non-functional. The Bonny Port Complex is located in Rivers State and was once a major seaport in Nigeria. However, due to inadequate maintenance and security challenges, it is currently non-functional. The Sapele Port Complex is located in Delta State and was once a major seaport in Nigeria. However, due to inadequate maintenance and security challenges, it is currently non-functional. Overall, the functional seaports in Nigeria play a significant role in the country’s economy, while the non-functional seaports represent a missed opportunity for economic growth and development.
SEAPORTS LOCATIONS AND BERTHS
Nigeria has six major seaports that are engaged in maritime trade with countries across the world. These ports are located in Lagos, Rivers, Delta, and Cross River states. The following is a breakdown of the locations of these ports and their berths:
| Port Name | Location | Berths |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos Port Complex | Apapa, Lagos State | 29 berths |
| Tin Can Island Port Complex | Apapa, Lagos State | 12 berths |
| Calabar Port Complex | Calabar, Cross River State | 6 berths |
| Rivers Port Complex | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | 10 berths |
| Onne Port | Onne, Rivers State | 11 berths |
| Delta Port Complex | Warri, Delta State | 7 berths |
Each of these ports has jetties that are used for the loading and offloading of cargo. The jetties are equipped with modern facilities that enable them to handle different types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and general cargo. In addition to the jetties, these ports also have fairway buoys that are used to guide ships into and out of the ports.
It is worth noting that not all the berths in these ports are functional. Some of them are currently under construction, while others are not operational due to various reasons. However, the Nigerian government is making efforts to ensure that all the berths in these ports are functional to enhance the efficiency of the ports and increase their capacity to handle more cargo.
SEAPORT EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
DOCKYARD
The dockyard is an essential part of any seaport, and Nigeria’s seaports are no exception. The dockyards are used for the maintenance, repair, and construction of vessels. There are several dockyards in Nigeria, including the Lagos Dockyard and the Nigerian Naval Dockyard in Lagos.
VESSELS
Vessels are the backbone of any seaport, and Nigeria’s seaports are no different. The seaports in Nigeria handle a wide variety of vessels, including container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, and passenger ships. The Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex are the largest ports in Nigeria, and they handle the majority of the country’s vessel traffic.
EQUIPMENT
The seaports in Nigeria are equipped with the latest technology and equipment to handle the large volume of cargo that passes through them every day. The ports have cranes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery to load and unload cargo from vessels. The Lagos Port Complex has 13 mobile harbour cranes and 14 rubber-tired cranes, while the Tin Can Island Port Complex has 10 mobile harbour cranes and 8 rubber-tired cranes.
RORO
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) is a method of loading and unloading cargo from vessels using wheeled vehicles such as cars, trucks, and trailers. The seaports in Nigeria have RORO facilities to handle the large number of vehicles that are imported and exported through the ports.
OLD AND NEW PORTS
Nigeria has several old and new ports, including the Lagos Port Complex, the Tin Can Island Port Complex, and the Calabar Port Complex. The old ports were built many years ago and have limited capacity, while the new ports are modern and equipped with the latest technology and equipment.
PORT FACILITIES
The seaports in Nigeria have several facilities to support the movement of cargo and vessels. These facilities include warehouses, storage yards, and transit sheds. The Lagos Port Complex has three warehouses spanning 3025 m2 and an unpaved open yard for the temporary storage of goods.
SHORELINE LOGISTICS NIGERIA LIMITED
Shoreline Logistics Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Shoreline Group, which is one of the largest indigenous oil and gas exploration and production companies in Nigeria. The company provides logistics and support services to the oil and gas industry and operates a terminal at the Onne Port in Rivers State.
ECM TERMINAL LTD
ECM Terminal Ltd is a private terminal operator that operates a terminal at the Calabar Port Complex in Cross River State. The company provides container handling, cargo handling, and other terminal services.
INTELS NIGERIA LTD
Intels Nigeria Ltd is a private terminal operator that operates terminals at the Onne Port and the Warri Port in Delta State. The company provides oil and gas logistics services, including vessel handling, cargo handling, and warehousing.
PORTS AND TERMINAL OPERATORS
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is responsible for the regulation and supervision of the functions of the various seaports in Nigeria. The NPA also appoints private terminal operators to manage and operate the seaports.
FEDERAL OCEAN TERMINAL
The Federal Ocean Terminal is located in Onne, Rivers State, and is one of the largest terminals in Nigeria. The terminal is operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority and handles a wide variety of cargo, including containerized cargo, bulk cargo, and project cargo.
LAGOS DEEP OFFSHORE LOGISTICS
The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) is a privately owned logistics and engineering facility located in the Lagos Free Zone. The facility provides logistics and engineering services to the oil and gas industry and has a quay length of 680 meters.
CONCLUSION
Seaports are vital to the growth and development of any economy. In Nigeria, the seaports have contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth, generating jobs and revenue for the government. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is the Federal Government Agency responsible for governing and operating the seaports in Nigeria.
The six major seaports in Nigeria are Port of Lagos/Apapa, Calabar Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port Complex, Delta Port, Rivers Port, and Onne Port. These ports are engaged in maritime trade with various countries such as Brazil, China, India, Japan, the United States, and the European Union countries. The ports serve as gateways and terminals for Nigeria’s international trade.
Despite the significant contributions of seaports to Nigeria’s economy, there are still challenges facing the sector. One of the major challenges is inadequate infrastructure, which has led to congestion and delays at the ports. The Nigerian government is making efforts to address these challenges by investing in the development of infrastructure and modernizing the ports.
The Landlord Port Model, which involves the concessioning of ports to private operators, has been introduced to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of port operations. The Ports and Terminal Operators (PTO) are responsible for managing and operating the ports under the Landlord Port Model.
The seaports in Nigeria handle various types of cargo, including general cargoes, bulk cargoes, and oil well equipment. The crude oil terminals at Escravos and Yoho are major contributors to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Other jetties such as the Okrika Refined Petroleum Oil Jetty, Haastrup/Eagle Bulk Cement Jetty, and Ibeto Jetty also play significant roles in the importation and exportation of goods.
In conclusion, the seaports in Nigeria are critical to the country’s economic growth and development. The Nigerian government must continue to invest in the development of infrastructure and modernization of the ports to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. The private sector should also be encouraged to invest in the sector to improve the quality of services and create more job opportunities.
