Lekki seaport to begin operations this year, reaches 85 per cent completion

Promoters of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, have disclosed that the port will commence operations before the end of the year as it had reached 85 per cent completion as at last month.

According to the status update released by the promoter, the project, which is expected to be the deepest port in sub-Saharan Africa, is on course for completion in September 2022 and will be operational by the end of the year.

Information released on the company’s official social media pages revealed that dredging and reclamation works have reached 93.78 per cent completion and quay wall 89.96 per cent completion while breakwater and the landside infrastructure has reached 83.63 per cent and 74.35 percent completion respectively.

Speaking on the construction progress, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, explained that the project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise, was working around the clock to ensure the facility is delivered even ahead of schedule.

He said a distinguishing feature of the port is that it has a draught capacity of 16.5 metres and a turning circle of 600 metres, which would enable it to handle the largest generation of vessels.

He further disclosed that the port is built to leverage cutting-edge technology.

Ruogang pointed out that upon the start of port operations, which will be handled by the Lekki Freeport Terminal (a subsidiary of CMA CGA), the screening and processing of shipment would become completely automated, thereby promoting efficient and seamless service to the end-user.

According to him, Lekki port is being constructed with the framework of a modern port in mind, as it boasts of state-of-the-art equipment such as Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes, which can be used for intermodal operations to stack containers, ship to shore cranes and handling equipment to deliver 30 moves per hour.

He said upon completion, the Lekki Deep Sea Port will be one of the modern ports in West Africa, offering enormous support to the burgeoning commercial operations across Nigeria and the entire West African region.