Tag: Lekki Port

• …Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project will help ease congestion

The Lekki Deep Sea Port is now fully automated to boost international trade, satisfy customers, stakeholders, and other port users, The Nation has learnt.

Addressing reporters in Lagos on Wednesday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Wang Qiang, urged importers, clearing agents, and stakeholders, including government agencies operating at the port, to key into end-to-end digital processes available at their terminal to boost quick cargo clearance and facilitate international trade.

He noted that Customs procedures, particularly physical cargo examinations, and other port services must be fully digitalised to significantly reduce cargo dwell time and facilitate cargo clearance.

He said, “For automation to work efficiently, all players must be ready – customers, government, and every stakeholder. Only then can we have a fantastic system.”

He also stressed that improved connectivity would allow the port to effectively double capacity through performance optimisation without expanding its physical footprint.

Commenting on the new tax regime expected to take effect in 2026, he urged the government to adopt a simplified tax framework that supports ease of doing business. He cited Germany and other countries where goods are cleared from ports with a 30-day window allowing for value-added tax (VAT) remittance.

Findings have shown that between Q1 and Q3 2025, Lekki Port handled an estimated N13.46 trillion in total trade value, combining imports and exports, making it Nigeria’s second-largest port by trade value. This figure places it well ahead of Tin Can Island Port N9.31 trillion and almost double the N6.76 trillion recorded at Port Harcourt (Onne).

“We already reached 50 per cent of our capacity now – almost 50 per cent of the port capacity,” he said, noting consistent improvement in the number of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled monthly.

Qiang, however, emphasised that efficient multimodal connectivity remains critical to sustaining and accelerating growth at the port, revealing that barge operations have become an important evacuation channel and currently account for about 10 per cent of cargo movement from the port.

Qiang added that the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project would help ease congestion and improve access to the port, but stressed that rail connectivity remains essential, particularly given the scale of industrial activities emerging within the Lekki corridor.

“I believe the train option is something the government is concerned about, and with the level of industrial activities in this region, we expect that it will be provided,” Qiang said.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT), Captain Jedrzej Mierzewski, added that after only two years of operations, LFT has already become the number two terminal in the Nigerian market.

“We are the fastest-growing terminal in the country, combining modern infrastructure, operational excellence, and a clear ambition to become a leading transshipment hub for West Africa.

“Our growth supports the Nigerian economy by strengthening trade connectivity and helping to reduce the cost of foreign trade through efficient, reliable, and competitive port services.”  Mierzewski said.

In what could be described as a major boost to the Nigerian maritime sector and international trade, the management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), Lekki Freeport Terminal, and the Lagos Free Zone have launched the COSCO, ONE (Ocean Network Express), and ZIM alliance services at Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The launch of the services was signaled by the arrival of the E A Centaurus at Lekki Deep Sea Port recently, has an overall length of 277m and a container handling capacity of 7,000 TEU, is also the largest COSCO vessel to call Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal, Christophe Cassang, explained that the launch of the service marks a crucial milestone in the terminal’s development and capacity expansion. He added that the launch of the service demonstrates the company’s commitment to becoming a leading maritime hub in West Africa.

“Through the strategic partnership with global shipping leaders such as COSCO, ONE, and ZIM, we are strengthening our position on the international stage and opening new opportunities for trade and industry in Nigeria and the region. Lekki Freeport Terminal is run by a well-trained workforce, passionate about meeting challenges of the future, and is equipped with the most advanced technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the growing needs of the shipping lines and of our customers,” said Cassang.

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In his remarks during the ceremony, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, described the launch of the new shipping line services as a true testament to the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s maritime future.

Ruogang noted that the berthing of the E A Centaurus marked the first of bi-weekly calls to Lekki Deep Sea Port by COSCO, ONE, and ZIM shipping lines.

He described the launch of the COSCO, ONE, and ZIM shipping lines as a symbol of the company’s unwavering dedication to positioning Lekki Port as a transformative force in the Nigerian maritime Industry.

“After 18 months of commencement of commercial operations and continued efforts, we are proud to welcome COSCO, ONE, and ZIM shipping lines to Lekki Port. With the bi-weekly calls of the consortium, we are realising our vision of driving significant cargo volumes and further positioning Lekki Port to enhance the Nigerian maritime sector and improve business efficiency across the country. The achievement is not the end but rather the beginning,” he said.

In her statement, the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja, described the launch of COSCO, ONE, and ZIM shipping lines services at Lekki Port as a momentous occasion and significant achievement not only for Lekki Port and Lekki Freeport Terminal but also for Lagos Free Zone as it is bound to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) to the zone.

“From one shipping line, we now have four shipping lines calling at the Lekki Deep Sea Port; it is significant because we now have more options that allow more customers access to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Lekki Port. It also allows the growth of enterprises in the Lagos Free Zone and, in fact, the entire Lekki economic axis. The companies can bring their raw materials through any of the four shipping lines and move them straight into the factories for production. They can also export finished goods to other parts of Africa and, indeed, the world. This is the economic rejuvenation we are all looking for, and Lekki Port and Lagos Free Zone are happy to be doing our part,” she said.

In their reaction, the COSCO, ONE, and ZIM shipping line representatives expressed their excitement about partnering with Lekki Port and Lekki Freeport Terminal. They expressed satisfaction with the world-class infrastructure and facilities available at the port. The companies were represented by the Deputy Managing Director of COSCO Shipping Lines Nigeria Limited, Rex Wang, Director, Ocean Network Express (Nigeria) Limited, Stefan Pedersen, and Managing Director, Lansal, Todd Rives.