Nigerian Port Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of Nigeria's major ports: Lagos Apapa, Lagos Tin Can Island, Onne Federal Ocean Terminal, Warri, and Calabar. Compare draft, facilities, congestion levels, clearance times, and costs to choose the right port for your cargo.
Last updated: 25 August 2026 | Analysis by Calmwaters Shipping team
Port Specifications Comparison
| Specification | Lagos Apapa | Lagos Tin Can Island | Onne (FOT) | Warri | Calabar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Lagos State, South-West Nigeria | Lagos State, South-West Nigeria | Rivers State, South-South Nigeria | Delta State, South-South Nigeria | Cross River State, South-South Nigeria |
| Draft | 13.5m | 25m (channel) | 13m (channel 13m) | 6.4m | 7.0m |
| Max LOA | 300m | 300m | 305m | 250m | 170m |
| Max Beam | 50m | 50m | 50m | 40m | 30m |
| Facilities | Container, Tanker, General Cargo, Ro-Ro | Container, Ro-Ro, General Cargo, Bulk | Oil & Gas, General Cargo, Container | General Cargo, Petroleum, Bulk | Break Bulk, Container, Liquid, Ro-Ro |
| Congestion | High | Moderate-High | Low-Moderate | Low | Low |
| Berth Occupancy | 90-95% | 85-92% | 65-80% | 55-70% | 50-65% |
| Vessel Queue | 5-15 days | 3-10 days | 2-5 days | 1-3 days | 1-2 days |
| Clearance Time | 5-15 days | 5-15 days | 7-20 days | 7-15 days | 7-15 days |
| Annual TEU | ~700,000 | ~500,000 | ~50,000 | ~20,000 | ~10,000 |
| Port Charges | $25-35/tonne | $22-32/tonne | $20-30/tonne | $18-28/tonne | $15-25/tonne |
Port Advantages & Disadvantages
Lagos Apapa
Container imports, General cargo, Tanker imports
✓ Advantages
- • Deepest draft in Lagos (13.5m)
- • Best container facilities
- • Largest terminal capacity
- • Direct road access to Lagos
✗ Disadvantages
- • Severe congestion
- • Long vessel waiting times
- • Higher port charges
- • Complex documentation requirements
Lagos Tin Can Island
Container imports, Ro-Ro, Grain, Vehicles
✓ Advantages
- • Deepest channel (25m)
- • Handles VLCCs
- • Good Ro-Ro facilities
- • Lower congestion than Apapa
✗ Disadvantages
- • Still experiences congestion
- • Higher pilotage costs for deep draft
- • Complex customs procedures
Onne (FOT)
Oil & Gas, Offshore Support, Crude Exports
✓ Advantages
- • Oil & gas hub
- • Free Zone status
- • Direct pipeline connections
- • Offshore supply base
- • Least congested major port
✗ Disadvantages
- • Longer clearance for oil & gas documentation
- • Limited container facilities
- • Remote from major markets
Warri
Petroleum Products, General Cargo, Delta State Operations
✓ Advantages
- • Least congested
- • Lowest port charges
- • Free Zone status
- • Direct access to Delta oil fields
✗ Disadvantages
- • Shallowest draft (6.4m)
- • Limited facilities
- • Requires dredging
- • Cannot handle large vessels
Calabar
Eastern Nigeria, Break Bulk, General Cargo
✓ Advantages
- • Lowest congestion
- • Lowest port charges
- • Gateway to South-East
- • Free Zone potential
✗ Disadvantages
- • Shallowest facilities (7.0m)
- • Smallest terminal capacity
- • Limited container services
- • Requires dredging
Decision Matrix: Which Port for Your Cargo?
| Cargo Type | Recommended Port | Alternative | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container imports (>1,000 TEU) | Lagos Apapa | Lagos Tin Can | Best container facilities, deepest draft, highest throughput |
| Vehicles (Ro-Ro) | Lagos Tin Can | Lagos Apapa | Dedicated Ro-Ro berths, good vehicle handling facilities |
| Crude oil exports | Bonny/Forcados | Onne FOT | VLCC loading berths, direct pipeline connections |
| Refined product imports | Lagos Apapa | Lagos Tin Can | Tanker berths, pipeline connections to depots |
| Oil & gas equipment | Onne FOT | Warri | Oil & gas hub, Free Zone, offshore supply base |
| Offshore support vessels | Onne FOT | Warri | Offshore supply base, DP vessel berths, base port for operations |
| General cargo (break bulk) | Lagos Apapa | Calabar | Largest break bulk capacity, best road connections |
| Petroleum products | Lagos Apapa | Warri | Tanker berths, pipeline connections, proximity to markets |
| Grain imports | Lagos Tin Can | Lagos Apapa | Grain silos, bulk handling facilities |
| Eastern Nigeria distribution | Calabar | Onne | Closest port to South-East, lower congestion |
| Delta State operations | Warri | Onne | Closest to Delta oil fields, lowest charges |
| Small vessel (<50m LOA) | Warri | Calabar | Lowest charges, least congestion, suitable draft |
Detailed Port Profiles
Lagos Apapa
Coordinates
6.4541°N, 3.3947°E
Best For
Container imports, General cargo, Tanker imports
Draft
13.5m
Max LOA
300m
Congestion
High
Lagos Tin Can Island
Coordinates
6.4494°N, 3.3836°E
Best For
Container imports, Ro-Ro, Grain, Vehicles
Draft
25m (channel)
Max LOA
300m
Congestion
Moderate-High
Onne (FOT)
Coordinates
4.7286°N, 7.1603°E
Best For
Oil & Gas, Offshore Support, Crude Exports
Draft
13m (channel 13m)
Max LOA
305m
Congestion
Low-Moderate
Warri
Coordinates
5.5167°N, 5.7333°E
Best For
Petroleum Products, General Cargo, Delta State Operations
Draft
6.4m
Max LOA
250m
Congestion
Low
Calabar
Coordinates
4.9587°N, 8.3236°E
Best For
Eastern Nigeria, Break Bulk, General Cargo
Draft
7.0m
Max LOA
170m
Congestion
Low
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nigerian port has the deepest draft?
Lagos Tin Can Island Port has the deepest draft at 25 metres in the main channel, making it suitable for large container vessels and tankers. Lagos Apapa follows with 13.5 metres, while Onne Federal Ocean Terminal has 13 metres. Warri and Calabar have shallower drafts of 6.4 and 7.0 metres respectively, limiting them to smaller vessels.
Which Nigerian port is best for oil and gas vessels?
Onne Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) is the primary oil and gas hub in Nigeria with 13 metres draft, direct pipeline connections, and specialised oil and gas terminals. For deepwater offshore support, Onne offers the best facilities. For crude oil exports, Bonny and Forcados terminals are preferred for VLCC loading. For refined product imports, Lagos Apapa and Tin Can handle most tanker traffic.
Which Nigerian port has the least congestion?
Warri and Calabar ports typically have the least congestion, with berth occupancy rates below 70%. However, they have limited facilities and shallower drafts. Onne Federal Ocean Terminal has moderate congestion with better facilities. Lagos Apapa and Tin Can Island experience significant congestion, with berth occupancy often exceeding 90% and vessel queues of 5-15 days.
How long does customs clearance take at Nigerian ports?
Customs clearance times vary by port and documentation: Lagos Apapa: 5-15 days (high congestion), Lagos Tin Can: 5-15 days, Onne: 7-20 days (oil and gas documentation), Warri: 7-15 days, Calabar: 7-15 days. Clearance times improve significantly with proper documentation (Form M, PAAR) and experienced clearing agents.
What are the main port charges at Nigerian ports?
Port charges include: NPA dues (based on vessel tonnage), cargo dues (per tonne), pilotage dues, towage dues, and stevedoring charges. Total port charges typically range from $15-40 per tonne depending on cargo type and port. Lagos ports tend to be more expensive due to higher congestion and demand. Warri and Calabar offer lower port charges but have limited facilities.
Can large tankers call at all Nigerian ports?
No. Draft restrictions limit vessel sizes: Lagos Tin Can (25m draft) can accommodate VLCCs and large container ships. Lagos Apapa (13.5m) handles Suezmax tankers and large containerships. Onne FOT (13m) handles Suezmax tankers and offshore support vessels. Warri (6.4m) and Calabar (7.0m) are limited to smaller vessels (Handysize, coastal tankers, PSVs).
Need Help Choosing the Right Port?
Our team at Calmwaters Shipping has extensive experience with all Nigerian ports. We can help you select the optimal port based on your cargo type, vessel size, budget, and timeline. We also coordinate with port agents and customs authorities to ensure smooth operations.
Contact us at info@westafricacharter.com or call +234 916 333 1144