X-Raying Lekki Deep Sea Port’s First-year of Commercial Operations

Gilbert Ekugbe takes a cursory look at some of the milestone achievements which Nigeria’s first deep sea port has recorded since it started commercial operations one year ago

Nigeria’s first automated deep-sea port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, in its one year of commercial operations, has had several multiplying effects on the Nigerian economy at large. The port which was heralded as a game-changer was built to alleviate congestion issues in existing ports, improve cargo handling efficiency, stimulate economic growth by generating revenue, increase GDP, and foster industrial development.

From its strategic location, and availability of modern facilities, to the expertise and capacity to handle larger vessels swiftly, the port is gradually fulfilling its purpose: to give Nigeria a lifeline by wresting its neighboring countries for a bigger share of the global trade by the use of larger vessels as well as transshipment cargoes.

With a projected economic benefit of $361 billion over the next 45 years and the creation of around 170,000 direct and indirect jobs, Lekki Deep Sea Port is poised to significantly impact Nigeria’s trade relations with other countries by enhancing trade volume, improving port efficiency, and reducing delays in cargo handling. In just one year of operational efficiency, this modern deep-sea port has not only attracted foreign investment but also positioned the country as a regional hub for international trade. All of these wins have aligned Nigeria with global trade networks and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Berthing first transshipment of cargoes

The first transshipment vessel to call at the container terminal of Lekki Deep Sea Port, was the CMA CGM RIMBAUD. The service sailed from the Far East, through Shanghai, Singapore down to Kribi, Cameroun, before finally arriving at Lekki Port. It will later depart for Cotonou, its final destination, on 6th July 2023.  This landmark achievement represented a significant milestone in Nigeria’s maritime history- a record-breaking event widely commended by stakeholders in the maritime sector as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s readiness to revolutionize Africa’s maritime sector.

Arrival of the largest vessel

Boasting a depth of 16.5 meters with the potential for further dredging to 19.5meters, the arrival of the CMA CGM Rabelais in May 2023, which was the largest vessel to berth after the commencement of commercial operations at the port, attested to the port’s capacity to handle large container vessels.  The vessel, which has a 300m Length Overall (LOA) and the capacity to carry an impressive  6570 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), discharged and loaded an exchange of 200 TEUs at Lekki Port. The CMA CGM Rabelais set a new record for the port and, indeed, the Lagos Pilotage District, as being the largest vessel in ship dimensions to berth in the district, second only to the largest FPSO in the world, Total’s Egina FPSO.  The milestone marked the port’s readiness to become a major hub for global trade and logistics.

This feat was soon overtaken by the arrival of several 14,000 TEU vessels notably the CMA CGM SCANDOLA, an LNG-powered 14 812 TEUs container vessel, the first LNG-powered container vessel to sail to West Africa.  The CMA CGM SCANDOLA with an overall length (LOA) of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters was received amidst pomp and pageantry at Lekki Deep Sea Port where stakeholders of Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal, and CMA CGM, including top government functionaries, captains of industries, and the media witnessed its arrival.

At that moment, it was clear that Lekki Port’s position as a key player in the global maritime market was already being cemented. This is because the arrival of CMA CGM SCANDOLA, which is part of the CMA CGM West Africa Express (WAX) service direct from China to Lekki Port, represents a strong leap in the efficiency and capacity of maritime transport in Nigeria. 

While alluding to the monumental achievement, the Chairman of Lekki Port,  Biodun Dabiri said, “This marks a major step in driving economic growth, seamless movement of goods, fostering international trade, and strengthening Lekki Port’s position as a key player in the global market.”

Echoing the same position, the Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Port, Du Ruogang said the arrival of the WAX service bolstered enough confidence that Lekki Port will play a major role in the Nigerian maritime sector.

Deployment of scanners

To improve the inspection process for goods entering or leaving the ports, aiding customs operations, and ensuring compliance with regulations, the Port commissioned a state-of-the-art scanning facility, also known as the Non-Intrusive Inspections System to fast-track the examination and evacuation of containers from the port. The world-class facility was commissioned by the erstwhile Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Zone Command, Comptroller Dorothy Omogbehin, on  August 30, 2023. The objective was to significantly optimize the inspection process and increase cargo turnaround time at the port.

Lekki Port ensured that the customs personnel to carry out the scanning were trained with the requisite skills to operate the state-of-the-art facility.

Since installation, the scanners have enhanced the ease of doing business, facilitated trade, prevented port congestion, boosted revenue generation for the government, and improved national security.

Reduced cargo turnaround time

To maneuver large ships by either towing or pushing them, aiding in docking, undocking, and navigating through narrow or congested waterways, Lekki Port took delivery of two 80-ton Bollard Pull tug boats christened M.T MAIKOKO and M.T DA-OPUKORO, from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) regulator of port operations in Nigeria. This maritime infrastructure, according to the regulator, would help enhance efficiency and reduce cargo turnaround time at the Port.

The neoteric tug boats, which are the first of the 2813 Azimuth Stern Drive models to be available in Africa, with the maneuverability of 360 degrees, are poised to enhance the maneuvering of large capacity vessels of 300 metres LOA and above.

 These facilities are considered essential to Lekki Port for the smooth berthing of large vessels as these would assist the movement of vessels from the approach channel to the quay wall and also depart from the port. The tug boats have been critical elements of marine services at the port.

Government’s commendation

The port continues to marvel stakeholders, partners, and employees alike for its state-of-the-art facilities and efficient service delivery which has strengthened connectivity, increased trade competitiveness and fostered economic growth. During his first official visit to the port in September 2023, the pioneer Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, after inspecting the best-in-class facilities and modern equipment advised the management to entrench a culture of maintenance that will keep the equipment and facilities in good working order for years to come.

On his part, the Executive Governor, of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, commended the management of Lekki Port, for raising the bar in the Nigerian maritime industry since the official commissioning of the port in January 2023 stating “As a responsive government and shareholder of this port, we are very proud of the achievement of Lekki Port since its inauguration a year ago. This port and the entire Lekki economic zone hold the key to the economic prosperity of our state and our country as a whole”.

 Over the last 12 months, a total of 77 vessels, 100,000 containers and 22, 447 transshipments have been received. These statistics have further positioned Lekki Port as the standard bearer for port operations in West Africa.