Port Overview

Port Harcourt Port is situated off the Gulf of Guinea with a quay length of 1,259 metres and a stacking area of 27,497.15 m². This port is a multi-purpose facility and is strategically located in one the world’s largest crude oil production regions, the Niger delta. Operators here include the Port and Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL) and BUA Ports and Terminals Nigeria Limited.

The Port is equipped with 16 tanks of 3,048 MT capacity of bulk oil installation and four (4) Arcon sheds with storage capacity 12,486.15m².

The Port plays the ‘Mother-Port’ role to several jetties surrounding her as ‘satellites’ through the provision of pilotage and towage services, catering for the various markets, relating to Dry, Liquid and General cargo trades.

Port website: http://nigerianports.gov.ng/rivers/

• Ports and Terminal Operators Limited: http://www.ptolnigeria.com/
• BUA Ports and Terminal: https://www.buagroup.com/index.php

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

Port Picture

Terminal berths

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Under the NPA concession program, the following operators are responsible for the management, maintenance and operations of its individual terminal.

Terminal services offered by these terminals are containers, multipurpose and bulk.

The terminal operators are

1. Ports and Terminal Operators Limited,
2. BUA ports and terminals

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

Port Performance

Terminal A has a total length of about 650 metres straight quay. There is no berth limitation to any vessel calling at Terminal A. The distance from Fairway buoy to Bonny is 17 Nautical miles while Bonny to Port Harcourt is 24 Nautical miles steering 7 Nautical. Fairway Buoy to Port Harcourt Port (Terminal A) is about 6 Hours. The average daft at Terminal A is of 9.5 m while the draft of channel is 12.5m.

There are no major limitations in operating through this port except for periodic route congestions. Average waiting time of vessels alongside terminal is 5 days. Cumulative handling capacity at the Port Harcourt port is 3,462,425 MT (Including container volume).

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: 

• Ports and Terminal Operating Limited

             http://www.ptolnigeria.com/

• BUA Ports and Terminal

             https://www.buagroup.com/

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

Port equipment is privately managed. The respective terminals were all concessioned by the government to private businesses who now operate and manage the port facilities and in turn pay royalties to the government for the period of concession.

Container Facilities

Customs Guidance

Customs offices are located within the port complex and official office hours are between 0800 and 1700 hours every working week. Customs do not operate weekends or public holidays and may be more difficult to engage on Fridays

https://www.customs.gov.ng

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

Terminal Information

Multi-Purpose Terminal

PTOL is predominantly a container terminal and without facilities to handle general cargo vessels.

BUA can handle general cargo and bulk vessels (Frozen fish, Bagged Rice, Bagged cement, Project cargo, Coated steel pipes, etc). They have 2 warehouse facilities within the terminal measuring 4,200m² total.

Grain and bulk handling

Only BUA terminal is fitted with handling equipment (grabber) to cater for bulk vessels. They have a sucker to cater for Bulk Wheat, Palm Kernel Shell, Bulk Cement etc. They also handle Liquid Bulk Tallow, Crude Palm oil, Base Oil etc.

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.

BUA has 2 warehouse facilities within the terminal and measuring a total of 4,200m^2.

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.

Hinterland Information

Almost 100% of import shipments are moved out from the port by road. Goods or containers are loaded on trucks for delivery to destination. Truck ownership here is a combination of terminal and third-party vendors. Only a small percentage of cargo are initially moved using barges to other coastal locations within the city.

Port Security

Both terminals currently operate on ISPS level 1. Access into the terminal is strict with mechanisms put in place by each terminal operator to prevent the entry of un-authorized personnel into the terminal. All authorized persons are provided reflective jackets and head helmets before being allowed access into the terminals.