Shippers have increased patronage of rail freight, as shown in the data obtained from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), with a total of 62,840 metric tonnes of cargo transported in the fourth quarter of 2025.

In the figures released by the NRC, a total of 66 freight services were operated between October and December, both on the Standard Gauge and the Narrow Gauge lines.

From the data, Standard Gauge services accounted for the larger share of both freight movements and cargo volume during the period under review, with 61 freight services, while five were moved through the narrow-gauge network.

Cargo movements were carried out by several operators and terminals, including APM Terminals, Ajuba Containers, Starlink, Diamond Star and CCECC under track access arrangements.

In terms of volume, the standard gauge moved a total of 60,280 metric tonnes of cargo, representing the bulk of rail freight within the period.

NRC analysis showed that Diamond Star transported 7,800 tonnes in October, 5,760 tonnes in November and 7,680 tonnes in December, giving a total of 22,740 tons during the period.

Ajuba Containers moved 1,200 tonnes of cargo in October, 6,880 tonnes in November and 3,800 tonnes in December, bringing its quarterly total to 11,880 tonnes.

Starlink recorded 480 tonnes in October, 8,400 tonnes in November and 3,840 tonnes in December, amounting to 12,720 tonnes for the quarter.

On the Narrow Gauge, other containerised cargo accounted for 2,200 tonnes in October and 360 tonnes in November, making up the 2,560 metric tonnes recorded on that network in the fourth quarter.

On freight service, Ajuba Containers recorded 11 freight movements during the period, comprising two trips in October, six in November and three in December. Starlink also recorded 11 movements, with one trip in October, seven in November and three in December.

Freight movements linked directly to the APM Terminals facility stood at nine, with one movement in October, seven in November and one in December. Diamond Star recorded 12 movements during the quarter, with seven trips in October, four in November and five in December.

Other categories of freight accounted for an additional 12 movements, comprising four trips in October, three in November and five in December.

Also, CCECC, operating under track access arrangements, recorded the highest number of Standard Gauge movements with a total of 23 for the quarter.

The breakdown shows 10 movements in October, seven in November and six in December.

Altogether, freight operations on the Standard Gauge amounted to 61 movements during the fourth quarter.

On the Narrow Gauge network, five freight movements were recorded, accounting for 2,560 metric tonnes of cargo.

JOF Containers (Import) recorded one movement in October, with no activity in November and December. IBCL Containers also recorded one movement in October and none in the subsequent months.

Other containerised cargo accounted for three movements, comprising two trips in October, one in November and one in December.