2.1.1 Nigeria Port of Apapa Quays (Lagos) (2024)

PortOverview

The Lagos Port Complex also referred to as Premiere Port (ApapaQuays) is the earliest and largest Port in Nigeria. It is situatedin 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 offers24hrs operation. All operational areas are guarded by both armedand unarmed security personnel, as well as with Closed CircuitTelevision (CCTV).

The Apapa Port is well equipped with modern cargo handlingequipment and personnel support facilities. It has intermodalconnection – rail (to 1 terminal), water and road, however roadtransport is by far the dominant method. This results inbottlenecks caused by traffic gridlock due to the large numbers oftrucks entering and exiting the port facilities and parked onaccess roads waiting call up.

Military and paramilitary checkpoints close to the ports andenvirons further add to delays and the congestionissues.

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

Sugar, salt and flour are produced in factories belonging tooperators 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

Under the NPA concession scheme the following operators areresponsible for the management, maintenance and operations of oneeach of the eight terminals.

The Terminal Operators are: AP Moller Terminal Ltd. (APMT), ENLConsortium Ltd. (ENL), Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd. (ABTL), GreenviewDevelopment Nigeria Ltd. (GNDL) and Lilypond Inland ContainerTerminal.

For more information on port contacts, please see the followinglink:4.4Nigeria 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 13.0m. Gas: Draft 11.0 m.

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

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

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

Additionally, individual terminal operators levy tariff chargesthese 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 allocateappropriate berths for the necessary cargo requirement.

General Cargo Handling Berths

PortHandling Equipment

Port equipment is managed by the terminal operators.

Container Facilities

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

Customs Guidance

The Nigerian customs has functions which includes but is notlimited to the following: Collection of revenue (Import /ExciseDuties & other Taxes /Levies) and accounting for same;anti-smuggling activities; security functions; generatingstatistics for planning and budgetary purposes; monitoring ForeignExchange utilisation, etc; engaging in Research, Planning andEnforcement of Fiscal Policies of Government; manifest processing;licensing and registration of Customs Agents; registration anddesignation of collecting banks; and working in collaboration withother government agencies in all approved ports and border station.Customs offices are located within and outside the portcomplex.

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

Hours are weekdays between 1000 to 1600 for clearing and1000-2000 hours for release. Clearing and release officers do notoperate weekends or public holidays and may be more difficult toengage on Fridays. Customs Gate Exit officers are on duty 24/7.

For more information on customs in Nigeria please see thefollowing link:1.3 Nigeria CustomsInformation

Terminal Information

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL

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

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING

There are bulk handling and bagging facilities available in theport. They are not available on all terminals. Clearing andforwarding agents will advise which terminal should be used ifthese facilities are required. Direct bagging from ship dischargeis 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 totallysecure. This should be checked with clearing agents.

Stevedoring

Stevedoring services are the sole responsibility of the terminaloperators. In addition to in-house stevedores, there are severalthird-party service providers registered with each terminal and theterminal operators nominate stevedoring companies to handlerespective vessels. Stevedoring services are adequate andskilled.

Hinterland Information

More than 90 percent of all import shipments are moved out fromthe port by road. Goods or containers are loaded on respectivetrucks for delivery to destination. Truck ownership here is acombination of terminal and third-party vendors. Only a smallpercentage of cargo is initially moved using barges which haulthese shipments to another location within the port city from wherethey are also eventually loaded onto waiting trucks. ATM Terminalhas the only access to rail. They load less than 20 percent oftheir total cargo out by this method.

PortSecurity

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