The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has disclosed that the country recorded growth in vessel traffic, cargo throughput, container movements and vehicle traffic, among others, in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

This was contained in the NPA Operational Performance Report for the Second Quarter of 2026, which revealed an overall improvement in operational activities.

The report showed that vessel traffic rose by 14.4 per cent, as the number of ocean-going vessels completed increased from 1,050 in Q2 2025 to 1,201 in Q2 2026.

Similarly, the Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of ocean-going vessels increased from 40.87 million tonnes to 49.95 million tonnes, representing a growth of 22.2 per cent.

Further breakdown of the report showed that cargo throughput increased by 12.3 per cent, from 31,825,592 metric tonnes recorded in Q2 2025 to 35,740,362 metric tonnes in Q2 2026.

An analysis of cargo throughput by type of trade showed that inward cargo accounted for 56.8 per cent of total cargo handled, while outward cargo represented 41.9 per cent.

The Service boat operations also increased during the quarter. The number of service boats completed rose by 22.3 per cent, from 3,554 to 4,347, while the associated Gross Registered Tonnage increased by 62.4 per cent, from 1.06 million tonnes to 1.73 million tonnes.

Container traffic also increased by 11.3 per cent, rising from 541,229 TEUs in Q2 2025 to 602,392 TEUs in Q2 2026.

The report stated that inward laden containers increased by 6.3 per cent, accounting for approximately 51.5 per cent of total container traffic.

Outward laden containers declined marginally by 3.9 per cent, while empty container traffic increased by 13.9 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

Transhipment container traffic stood at 29,038 TEUs, compared with no recorded movement during the corresponding period of 2025.

This, the report said, reflected the growing importance of transhipment operations within the Nigerian port system.