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Lekki port creates 153 capacity pre-gate park

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Lagos, July 12, 2023: The Management of the Lekki Deep Sea Port has created a 153-capacity pre-gate truck park to ensure efficient and seamless traffic management control at the port.

The management made this known on its official Twitter page on Monday.

It said that an integral part of the automated gate system of the port consists of a pre-gate truck park of 2.5 hectares.

It also said that the Lekki Deep Sea Port was collaborating with Lagos State Government and Nigerian Port Authority to ensure a full scope traffic management plan for the entire Lekki Economic Zones Area.

“The port gates will have optical camera recognition portals to read the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on the trucks as they arrive the port.

“It will also contain biometric readers for drivers, gate kiosks to issue pick up and drop off tickets to the drivers and gate arms to allow access/exit for the truckers,” it said.

It added that it would have a Vehicle Booking System, an electronic platform for port users to register their intended visits to the port to ensure only authorised entry based on RFID tags and biometrics.

The Lekki port is the largest seaport in Nigeria and one of the biggest in West Africa.

The port is to be expanded to have a capacity of handling around six million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs)  of containers and a significant volume of liquid and dry bulk uncontainerized cargoes. The port is to be equipped with ships able to transport over 14,500 containers.

The port is being developed in phases.

Its phase one was operational in 2018, chiefly comprises three container berths equipped to handle more than 1.8 million TEUs — one berth for dry bulk goods and two berths for liquid cargo.

The port is financed by private investors and a consortium of banks who have funded the project with 1.5 billion dollars as of March 2021.

On Jan. 22, former president Muhammadu Bihari commissioned the first commercial ship, the container freighter CMA CGM MOZART, docked at the port.

Lekki Deep Sea port

Lekki Port takes delivery of tugboats from NPA

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Lagos, June 13, 2023: The management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprises Ltd., promoters of Lekki Deep Sea Port, has confirmed the delivery of two 80-ton Bollard Pull tugboats from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Mr Laurence Smith, the Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Smith said the tugboats christened M.T MAIKOKO and M.T DA-OPUKORO would enhance efficient port services and reduce cargo turnaround time at the port.

According to him, the neoteric tugboats are the first of the 2813 Azimuth Stern Drive model to be available in Africa.

He said the tugboats with manoeuvrability of 360 degrees, would enhance the manoeuvring of large capacity vessels of 300 metres LOA and above.

This, he said, was essential to Lekki Port for the smooth berthing of large vessels by assisting their movement from the approach channel to the quay wall and also departure from the port.

Smith said the tugboats by the NPA was another crucial milestone for Lekki Port as a critical element of marine services.

He added that it would further position the port as the standard bearer for port operations in West Africa.

Smith, however, commended the NPA for demonstrating a steadfast commitment toward the success of the port as a shareholder and a regulator.

“The NPA has consistently shown commitment to the success of Lekki Port, and this commitment is further demonstrated by the investment in the state-of-the-art equipment.

“They also ensure efficient provision of marine services with regards to arrival/departure of vessels and technological systems that support the marine traffic process,” he said.

Lekki Port is a multipurpose deep-sea port in the Lagos Free Zone.

It is the most modern and deepest seaport in West Africa, offering critical support to burgeoning commercial operations in Lagos State, across Nigeria, and the entire West African region.

The port, which commenced commercial operations in April, operates in line with global standards and has world-class facilities.

lekki seaport

Lekki Port to restore Nigeria’s trans-shipment hub status

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Mr Kehinde Olubi-Neye, the Chief Commercial Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal, says the port will facilitate the return of cargo trans-shipment hub status back to Nigeria.

Olubi-Neye said this at a media conference held at the port’s complex in Ibeju Lekki, on Wednesday in Lagos.

He said that the port had been mandated by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ensure return of trans-shipment of cargoes which was lost years back.

Trans-shipment refers to the transportation of cargo and containers moved from one vessel to another while in transit to the final destination.

The reports that the trans-shipment hub status was lost to other West African countries due to inefficiency in the system and low draught level of the Nigerian ports.

He said that the port had the equipment and draft to achieve the feat.

“We had the opportunity of sitting with the Managing Director of NPA where he reiterated that the Lekki port should get this cargo ensure that transshipment that was taken away from the country returns.

“NPA regulates prices and they are interested in ensuring this cargo comes back and we are sure they will provide us with the necessary support,” Olubi-Neye said.

He added that the company was conducting trucks and drivers registration to ensure seamless movement around the port vicinity.

“Our gates are automated and is linked with our vehicle booking system where truck drivers are required to book appointments in advance.

“It is also available on mobile phone and provides visibility on gates transactions.

“This also supports the initiative of the Lagos State Government with regards to the comprehensive call-up system for the Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Port, Dangote Free Zone, Dangote Refinery and the Pinnacle Oil and Gas.

“We are in discussions with the Lagos State Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders on the deployment of the call-up system for the Lekki area and we have confident that the call-up system for trucks will address concerns of prospective port users will have over access to the port,” he said.

Olubi-Neye also commended the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government for road construction around the ports.

He, however, disclosed that the company would explore the possibility of moving cargo by barges.

“We have been to execute more than five barges moves of over 900TEUs from Lekki Port to the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

“There are opportunities for Lekki Port to play a role in the uptake of cargo in the Eastern Ports and we are currently having a lot of discussions around Calabar Port, Warri Port and Onitsha River Port among others.

“When such containers are discharged at Lekki Port, it will be moved by barge to the Eastern ports to help increase the economy of those ports,” he said.

He noted that the barge services at the port was designed to carry containers from Lekki port through the ocean, to the lagoon and deliver to the last mile.

Speaking on incentives for cargo owners, Olubi-Neye described the company’s tarrif as very competitive when compared with other ports in the country.

Inefficiency in the system and low draught level of the Nigerian ports are the main reason why the country lost the transhipment hub status to other West African countries.

“We know the investments we have put here and we definitely need to assure our stakeholders and investors on return of investment.

“We are not here to compete, we are here to connect global maritime trade to Nigeria and that is why we have the deepest draft here, which does not exist in other port in Lagos and even in some the West Africa countries,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Yann Magarian, the Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal, said that the port would shape the maritime economy and called for it to be embraced and promoted.

According to him, the port is fully equipped as some of the equipment seen especially the ship-to-shore crane at the port is mostly seen in big ports.

“This port can do a lot for the country in terms of revenue and job creation,” he said.

Lekki Deep Sea port

Buhari inaugurates Lekki Port, model for other deep sea ports

At the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos on Monday, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) described the Port as a model for other deep sea ports in the country.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, said this at the official inauguration of the Lekki Deep Sea Port by President Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos.

Bello-Koko said that the Lekki Deep Sea Port was the deepest and most modern port in the country that accommodate bigger vessels and cargoes.

“This will be a model for other deep sea ports in Nigeria and I say congratulations to the investors and the project delivery team, the Lekki Port management team for a job well done,” he said.

Bello-Koko also appreciated President Muhammed Buhari for the necessary approval and the Federal Ministry of Transportation for making the project a reality.

“Recall that the port has been in the drawing board for over 10 years, four years ago when we came here it was just a sand-filled area.

“Today, we are talking about the commissioning and we thank the president for the approval given to make this happen,” he said.

He noted that the Lekki Deep Port was just the beginning of greater things in the sector.

Bello-Koko said that the NPA as the regulator would be responsible for providing marine services and others needed to ensure seamless service delivery.

Also, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, said that Nigeria had seen the emergency of one of the best ports in West Africa.

“Today, we are seeing the realisation of the commissioning of the best port in African that is expected to inject not less than $360 billion and provide employment to not less than 190,000 Nigerians.

“Secondly, we have seen dedication and political will on this project. This project commenced and started by this administration with sincerity of purpose,” Jamoh said.

Also in his contribution, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’Council, noted that he was glad to witness the delivery of what would be the game-changer in the maritime industry.

Jime congratulated the Federal Ministry of Transportation and all the stakeholders involved in the delivery of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The Chairman of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Mr Tang Qiaoliang, noted that the port would improve the Nigerian port industry, ease burden of cargo shipment flow, create employment, and promote international trade.

“As an international top-tier engineering contractor, investment operator, urban developer and ecological manager, CHEC insists to its philosophy ‘value-orientation’, commits itself to upgrading of ‘platform plus industrial leading’ strategy.

“With such strategy, we see the opportunity in Nigeria, and believe in its potential. So, we committed the adequate financial investment and essential technology, together with Nigerians in the construction and operation of the port.

“Under the framework of the China Africa Forum and the Belt and Road Initiative, we look forward to establishing a long-term strategic partnerships, in the infrastructure sector with the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Oiaoliang said.

He noted that the project would deepen the bilateral trade and cooperation between Nigeria and China.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) is a joint venture enterprise owned by foreign promoters, Lekki Port Investment Holdings Inc (comprising China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. and Tolaram), the Lagos State Government, and the Federal Government.

LPLEL is incorporated under the Companies & Allied Matters Act regime and licensed by the Lagos Free Zone to operate in the Free Zone under the NEPZ Act. This opens a host of benefits for Lekki Port regarding taxes, duties, and other incentives.

The Lekki Port is a multi-purpose Deep Sea Port at the heart of the Lagos Free Trade Zone, one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the entire West African region.

The shareholders of this visionary project are the NPA, the Lagos State Government, China Harbour Engineering Company, and Tolaram.

Ship at leki

First vessel berths at Lekki Port ahead of commissioning

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Sunday reported that the first commercial vessel has berthed at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

This is contained on the official Twitter handle of the authority.

It reads, ”Ahead of the President’s commissioning of @LekkiPort for commercial operations tomorrow, one of the largest container vessels, the CMA-CGM, has berthed at the port.

“Once more, @NigerianPorts has proven that it is prepared to offer marine services for seamless port operations. https://t.co/jEv99qwJdv,” it said.

President Muhammed Buhari will officially inaugurate the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport on January 24, 2023, for commercial operations in Lagos State.

The Lekki Deep Seaport is a state-of-the-art facility, the largest seaport and one of the biggest in West Africa.

lekki seaport

Lekki Port ready for commercial operations – Official

The newly-completed Lekki Deep Seaport is ready for inauguration and for commercial operations.

Managing Director, Lekki Port Lagos Free Trade Zone Enterprises Ltd. (LPLEL), Mr Du Ruogang, told a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday that arrangements had been completed for its inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFT) is putting everything in place to give a world-class port experience.

“All relevant agencies have been sensitised to undertake their roles in the new port,’’ he said.

Ruogang applauded the media for its support in the port’s success and urged practitioners to extend the same support to the container terminal operator, Lekki Freeport Terminal, as it prepares to begin operations.

He noted that as the Lagos State Government began work on the construction of access roads to the port, there was the need for more infrastructural development to ensure easy cargo movement.

He also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).

He equally expressed appreciation of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its contribution to making the port a reality.

In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Ltd. (LPLEL), Mr Laurence Smith, said full commercial operations would begin at the end of the first quarter of 2023.

He added that the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal would carry out trial operations once it completed the installation of necessary port equipment and infrastructure.

Smith hinted that Lekki Port had already opened up discussions with potential operators of the Liquid Berth Terminals, critical to the commencement of the construction of Phase II of the port.

The LPLEL is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that was awarded the Concession Agreement for the development and operations of the Lekki Deep Sea Port by the Nigerian Ports Authority.

It was required to develop, build and operate a common user multipurpose port.

The company sub-concessioned the container terminal operations to Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT), a subsidiary of CMA/CGM, the world’s largest container shipping company.

Lekki Port is a multi-purpose deep seaport at the heart of the Lagos Free Trade Zone, one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

The shareholders are the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Lagos State Government, China Harbour Engineering Company, and Tolaram.

lekki seaport

Lekki Deep Sea Port 96% complete

The Lekki Deep Sea Port has reached 96 per cent completion, Mr Micheal Ohiani, the Acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says.

He made this known on Sunday in Abuja and said his team carried out a regulatory visit to the project site in the last quarter of 2021 and was satisfied with the progress of work done so far.

Ohiani said that the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), had projected that within the next 30 years, the nation would require 3.1 trillion dollars to build infrastructure which translates to 100 billion dollars annually.

 “The Federal Government cannot do this alone, so you have to leverage on private sector investment.

“Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects are therefore, designed to bridge this infrastructure gap, including the Lekki deep seaport, which will become operational in the second quarter of this year.

“We also have the Onitsha River port that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved about a fortnight ago.

“We have the Lokoja-Baru port. We also have the Kano-Kaduna standard guage line currently under construction.

NAN reports that the Lekki Deep Sea Port was conceptualised on the basis of a significant gap in projected demand and capacity.

The strategic location, optimised layout and modern facilities provide Lekki Port a distinct competitive edge over any other port facility in the West African region.

Upon completion, it will feature three operational sub-concessions for the container terminal, liquid terminal and dry bulk terminal.

The container terminal is expected to have a 1,200 meter long quay, three container berths and a storage yard with more than 15,000 ground slots.

ICRC was established to regulate PPP endeavours of the Federal Government aimed at addressing Nigeria’s physical infrastructure deficit which hampers economic development.