Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Lekki Port has recorded 50 percent capacity utilisation three years after launch of operations, making it one of the fastest growing in terms of patronage in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT), Captain Jedrzej Mierzewski disclosed that after a little over two years of operations, LFT has become the number two terminal in the Nigerian market adding “We are the fastest-growing terminal in the country, combining modern infrastructure, operational excellence, and a clear ambition to become a leading transshipment hub for West Africa.
Our growth supports the Nigerian economy by strengthening trade connectivity and helping to reduce the cost of foreign trade through efficient, reliable, and competitive port services.
Wang disclosed this on Tuesday during an end-of-the-year media parley with journalists, noting that the port is approaching 50 per cent operational capacity, a development he attributed to growing confidence among shipping lines and cargo owners in Nigeria’s first deep seaport.
According to him, container traffic, measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), has shown consistent improvement on a monthly basis, underscoring the port’s increasing role in Nigeria’s maritime trade.
He identified efficient multimodal connectivity as a key factor required to sustain and accelerate the port’s growth, explaining that barge operations have emerged as a critical evacuation channel, currently accounting for about 10 per cent of cargo movement from the facility.
Wang said the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project would significantly improve access and reduce congestion around the port, but stressed that rail connectivity remains indispensable, especially in view of the scale of industrial activities developing within the Lekki corridor.
“I believe the train option is something the government is concerned about, and with the level of industrial activities in this region, we expect that it will be provided,” he said.
Reiterating that Lekki Port is a fully automated terminal, Wang noted that operational delays could persist until all stakeholders, particularly government agencies, fully embrace end-to-end digital processes. He explained that Customs procedures, including physical cargo examinations, as well as other port services, must be comprehensively digitalised to achieve a significant reduction in cargo dwell time.
According to him, closer collaboration among terminal operators, Customs, customers and other service providers is essential for automation to deliver its full benefits. He added that integration between the Customs system, the terminal operating system and customers’ platforms is already captured in an agreed implementation timeline.
“For automation to work efficiently, all players must be ready — customers, government and every stakeholder. Only then can we have a fantastic system,” Wang said.
He noted that improved connectivity and operational efficiency would enable the port to effectively double its throughput capacity through performance optimisation, without the need for physical expansion.
The media engagement also featured a guided tour of the terminal, including visits to the Customs examination area, scanning facilities and shipside operations.
