Port Overview

The Lagos Port Complex also referred to as Premiere Port (Apapa Quays) is the earliest and largest Port in Nigeria. It is situated in Apapa, Lagos State, the commercial centre of Nigeria.

The Lagos Port Complex has five (5) private Terminals and eight (8) jetties. The Terminal Operators are:

• AP Moller Terminal Ltd. (APMT),
• ENL Consortium Ltd. (ENL),
• Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd. (ABTL),
• Greenview Development Nigeria Ltd. (GNDL)
• Lilypond Inland Container Terminal.

The Port has two (2) Logistics bases:

• Eko Support Services Ltd. and
• Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL).

It is registered as an ISPS certified Port facility and offers 24hrs operation. All operational areas are guarded by both armed and unarmed security personnel, as well as with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).

The Apapa Port is well equipped with modern cargo handling equipment and personnel support facilities. It has intermodal connection – rail (to 1 terminal), water and road, however road transport is by far the dominant method. This results in bottlenecks caused by traffic gridlock due to the large numbers of trucks entering and exiting the port facilities and parked on access roads waiting call up.

Military and paramilitary checkpoints close to the ports and environs further add to delays and the congestion issues.

The Terminal has the added advantage of APM Terminals’ Lilypond Inland Container Depot (ICD) located just 4 km from the port. Covering an area of 120,000 m² it provides an additional capacity of 7,000 TEUs.  

Sugar, salt and flour are produced in factories belonging to operators within the port.

Port website: www.nigerianports.gov.ng/lagos-port/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Under the NPA concession scheme the following operators are responsible for the management, maintenance and operations of one each of the eight terminals.

The Terminal Operators are: AP Moller Terminal Ltd. (APMT), ENL Consortium Ltd. (ENL), Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd. (ABTL), Greenview Development Nigeria Ltd. (GNDL) and Lilypond Inland Container Terminal.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Nigeria Port and Waterways Company Contact List

Port Performance

Max. size: Anchorage: LOA 182.9 m., draft 8.53 m. Containers: Draft 12.0 m. Bulk: Draft 12.5 m. Tankers: LOA 190 m., draft 13.0 m. Gas: Draft 11.0 m.

Port is congested due to slower than optimum turnaround times. Additionally there is congestion occurring as a result of road transport bottlenecks. There is no priority for humanitarian cargoes.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: http://nigerianports.gov.ng/port-tariffs/

Additionally, individual terminal operators levy tariff charges these rates can be viewed at the following links:

http://port.enlconsortium.com/reports/Tariff%20Book.pdf

https://www.apmterminals.com/en/apapa

https://www.greenviewterminal.com/terminal_details.php

http://sifaxgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/PCHS-Company-Service-Tariff.pdf

Berthing Specifications

Clearing and forwarding agents will allocate appropriate berths for the necessary cargo requirement. 

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

Port equipment is managed by the terminal operators. 

Container Facilities

There are extensive container facilities. Apapa is one of the busiest container ports in Africa

Customs Guidance

The Nigerian customs has functions which includes but is not limited to the following: Collection of revenue (Import /Excise Duties & other Taxes /Levies) and accounting for same; anti-smuggling activities; security functions; generating statistics for planning and budgetary purposes; monitoring Foreign Exchange utilisation, etc; engaging in Research, Planning and Enforcement of Fiscal Policies of Government; manifest processing; licensing and registration of Customs Agents; registration and designation of collecting banks; and working in collaboration with other government agencies in all approved ports and border station. Customs offices are located within and outside the port complex.

There are 3 units: inspection, clearing and gate control.

Hours are weekdays between 1000 to 1600 for clearing and 1000-2000 hours for release. Clearing and release officers do not operate weekends or public holidays and may be more difficult to engage on Fridays. Customs Gate Exit officers are on duty 24/7.

For more information on customs in Nigeria please see the following link: 1.3 Nigeria Customs Information

Terminal Information

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL

There are multiple multipurpose terminals available they have all necessary facilities (handling equipment, space, storage etc) available.

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING

There are bulk handling and bagging facilities available in the port. They are not available on all terminals. Clearing and forwarding agents will advise which terminal should be used if these facilities are required. Direct bagging from ship discharge is not possible but can be facilitated in the port area.

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL

There is sufficient current warehouse space for food stores, bagged and general cargo however not all facilities are totally secure. This should be checked with clearing agents.

Stevedoring

Stevedoring services are the sole responsibility of the terminal operators. In addition to in-house stevedores, there are several third-party service providers registered with each terminal and the terminal operators nominate stevedoring companies to handle respective vessels. Stevedoring services are adequate and skilled.

Hinterland Information

More than 90 percent of all import shipments are moved out from the port by road. Goods or containers are loaded on respective trucks for delivery to destination. Truck ownership here is a combination of terminal and third-party vendors. Only a small percentage of cargo is initially moved using barges which haul these shipments to another location within the port city from where they are also eventually loaded onto waiting trucks. ATM Terminal has the only access to rail. They load less than 20 percent of their total cargo out by this method.

Port Security

All terminal facilities here currently operate on ISPS level 1. There are strict access control mechanisms put in place by each terminal to prevent the entry of un-authorized personnel into the terminal. All authorized persons must conform to international safety standards.