Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria’s first of its kind, has officially begun international transhipment operations to neighboring West African countries, including Ghana, Togo, and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire.

The port’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Daniel Odibe, disclosed this during a media briefing held at the port on Thursday. He also noted that the facility recently carried out a trial domestic transhipment to Onne Port in Rivers State.

“In 2023, we conducted our first transhipment operation, marking a milestone for Nigeria’s maritime economy,” Odibe said. “Previously, cargo destined for Nigeria often passed through transhipment hubs in Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, which led to longer delivery times and increased handling costs due to the absence of a deep seaport in Nigeria.”

According to him, the launch of Lekki Port has reversed that trend, positioning Nigeria as a transhipment hub for West Africa.

“We are now handling transhipment cargo to ports in Ghana, Abidjan, Togo, and Cotonou,” he stated. “This not only enhances Nigeria’s maritime profile but also offers significant regional trade opportunities.”

Odibe emphasized plans to expand both international and domestic transhipment activities, especially to ports like Warri, Calabar, and inland ports such as Onitsha and Burutu—locations with limited access for foreign vessels due to shallow drafts.

“We ran a trial transhipment to Onne last year. Although it had some challenges, it provided valuable insights, and we’re working with shipping lines and terminal operators to resume operations this year,” he added.

On operational performance, Odibe reported that the port handled 222,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) between January and June 2025. He explained that cargo volumes had initially declined due to the depreciation of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies but are now on a steady rise.

“We started with 54,289 TEUs in 2023 when operations began. By mid-2025, we’ve processed 222,000 TEUs and are targeting 500,000 by year-end. Currently, we receive between 10 and 12 vessels monthly,” he said.

Odibe also provided operational metrics: vessel turnaround time at Lekki Port is 48 hours, truck turnaround time stands at 1 hour 25 minutes, and cargo dwell time averages 16 days.

Speaking at the same event, Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port, Mr. Yang Xixiong, said the port remains committed to maintaining international standards and pushing the boundaries of regional maritime logistics.

“We are continuously raising the bar to solidify our position as West Africa’s deepest sea port. Our commitment to excellence is evident in the technological innovation, operational efficiency, and regional trade impact we’re driving,” Xixiong stated.