Lekki Port’s Success Story: Efficient Operations and Growing Transhipment Volumes

Lekki Port’s Success Story: Efficient Operations and Growing Transhipment Volumes

By prince Benson Davies

The Lekki Deep Sea Port, a $1.5 billion project, continues to defy expectations with its impressive performance. Since commencing operations in April 2023, the port has become a strategic maritime gateway, reshaping the logistics landscape of West Africa. With a capacity to process 1.2 million cargoes annually, the port is currently operating at 50% of its designed capacity.

The port’s smart model, unique in Nigeria, boasts a short turnaround time for vessels of just 2 days. Its physical layout features a 2-kilometer breakwater ridge and a 9.6-kilometer channel, allowing for efficient cargo handling. The port’s development was made possible through a 45-year Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

notable statistics highlighting the port’s efficiency include: Container Scanning: 33 seconds to scan a container after evacuation by the 5 gantry cranes
– Container Movement: Maximum of 3 minutes to move a container from ship to shore
– Barge Operations: 20% of cargoes are evacuated through barges

The port’s growing hub status is evident in itsj transshipment volumes, representing 38% of total activity. With a projection to handle over 500,000 TEUs by the end of 2025, Lekki Port is poised to become a dominant player in West Africa’s maritime trade.

Key Features
– Port Capacity: 1.2 million cargoes annually
– Draught: Minus 16.5 meters, the deepest in Nigeria
– Land Area: 19 hectares
– Quay Length: 680m, with a breakwater of 2km for Phase 1 operations

Future Developments:
– Phase 2 Expansion: Quayway extension to 1,500m and depth increase to minus 19.5 meters
– Rail Connectivity: Essential for long-term efficiency, particularly with the Lekki Free Zone’s industrial activities

Lekki Deep Sea Port is revolutionizing Nigeria’s maritime industry with its cutting-edge technological design, featuring automated gates, OCR systems, ship-to-shore cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, FS 6000 drive-through scanners, and advanced control systems. The port’s berth productivity stands at 18 to 20 moves per hour, with truck turnaround time averaging 45 minutes and container dwell time ranging from 12 to 13 days. As Nigeria’s second-largest terminal, Lekki Port is recalibrating West Africa’s maritime geography, enabling the country to handle ultra-large vessels efficiently and strengthening its maritime competitiveness.

Features and Benefits:Deep Draft The port has a draft of up to 16.5 meters, allowing it to accommodate Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) carrying up to 16,000 TEUs.
Automated Systems*: The port’s automated systems, including gate processes, biometric truck appointments, and drive-through scanners, reduce human interference and improve efficiency.
Increased Trade*: Lekki Port has emerged as a significant trade hub, with exports surpassing imports and free-flowing cargo movement in and out of the seaports and Dangote Refinery.
Job Creation: The port is expected to create over 170,000 direct and indirect jobs during its 45-year concession period Economic Impact: The project is estimated to contribute $361 billion to Nigeria’s GDP and generate $201 billion in revenue for state and federal agencies.

With its strategic location within the Lagos Free Zone and proximity to major infrastructure like the Dangote Refinery and the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki Port is poised to transform the country’s maritime logistics and transshipment landscape. The port’s management has expressed confidence in its growth, with the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wang Qiang, stating that the port is operating at almost 50% capacity and expects continued growth.