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Tin Can Island Port

Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIP), located northwest of the Lagos Port Complex in Lagos, Nigeria, at latitude 6°2'N and longitude 3°23'E, is a major seaport facility established in 1977 to address severe congestion at the primary Lagos port during the oil boom and post-civil war reconstruction period.^[1] Construction of the port began in 1976 and it was officially commissioned on October 14, 1977, under the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which continues to oversee operations today.^[1] The port spans 73 hectares and is designed to handle 10 to 16 vessels simultaneously, accommodating ships ranging from 100 meters to 260 meters in length, with a focus on diversified cargo including dry and wet bulk, containers, and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vehicles.^[1] Since May 2006, the port has operated under the NPA's landlord model, with terminals concessioned to private operators: Terminals A, C, and D handed over on May 10, 2006, Terminal B on June 1, 2006, and the PTML Terminal in September 2006, leading to improved berth occupancy from 75% in 2006 to 83% as of 2025.^[1] Notable features include 24-hour pilotage services for quick vessel turnaround, modern handling equipment, CCTV surveillance, and on-site fresh water supply from 250-meter-deep wells, alongside the adjacent Kiri Kiri Lighter Terminal with a 780-meter quay and 4-meter depth for smaller vessels.^[1] As Nigeria's second-busiest port after Apapa, TCIP plays a critical role in the country's import-export trade, particularly for containerized goods and automobiles.^[1]^[2] It contributes significantly to Lagos's status as West Africa's commercial hub.^[3] In the first half of 2025, the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service achieved a revenue milestone of ₦747.08 billion, reflecting a 29.85% increase over the same period in 2024 and demonstrating enhanced operational efficiency.^[4] In October 2025, the Federal Government approved $1 billion for the modernization of TCIP and the adjacent Apapa Port, aiming to boost capacity, reduce congestion, and incorporate digital operations as part of a broader national port rehabilitation strategy.^[5]

History

Construction and Commissioning

During the 1970s, Nigeria experienced rapid economic growth fueled by the oil boom, alongside post-civil war reconstruction demands, which overwhelmed the existing Lagos Port Complex, particularly Apapa Port, causing extensive delays in cargo throughput. This congestion was intensified by the 1975 "cement armada" crisis, in which over 400 vessels laden with cement imports—stemming from inflated government contracts and procurement irregularities—anchored off Lagos for months, paralyzing port operations and highlighting the urgent need for expanded facilities.^[1]^[6] To address this overload, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) launched the construction of Tin Can Island Port in 1976 as an emergency measure to handle additional container and general cargo traffic. The turn-key project, aimed at decongesting Apapa, was contracted to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, focusing on rapid development to support the nation's import-export surge.^[7]^[8] The port was officially commissioned on October 14, 1977, becoming operational to immediately relieve pressure on the primary Lagos facilities. Initially spanning 73 hectares, it featured a quay wall designed for efficient berthing, with an emphasis on container handling to accommodate the growing trade volumes. The facility's design capacity targeted approximately 650,000 TEU annually, enabling it to process a significant share of general and containerized goods that had previously bottlenecked at Apapa.^[1]^[9]

Mergers and Concessions

This administrative shift set the stage for later reforms, culminating in the 2006 port concessioning process under the federal government's broader privatization initiative. In May 2006, as part of the transition to a landlord port model, the Tin Can Island Port facilities were concessioned to private operators through long-term agreements, with the NPA retaining ownership of the land and regulatory oversight while delegating terminal operations to enhance efficiency and reduce bureaucratic involvement.^[1]^[10] The concessions covered five terminals—designated A, B, C, D, and PTML—handed over via a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model to specialized private entities, aiming to streamline operations, boost competitiveness, and alleviate chronic congestion by introducing private investment in infrastructure and handling.^[1]^[11] Terminals A, C, and D were transferred on May 10, 2006, while Terminal B followed on June 1, 2006.^[1] A key outcome of these reforms was the merger of Tin Can Island Port with the adjacent Roro Port facilities in September 2006, integrating departments, personnel, and operations to form the unified Tin Can Island Port Complex under private management.^[1]^[12] Port and Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML), operating under the BOT model, took over the Roro terminal and commenced handling roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo in September 2006, specializing in vehicle imports and exports to support the port's diversified cargo flow.^[1]^[13]

Location and Access

Geographical Position

Tin Can Island Port is located at approximately 6°26′ N latitude and 3°21′ E longitude, positioned northwest of the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa, Lagos State, Nigeria.^[14] It forms an integral part of the broader Lagos Port Complex, serving as a key maritime facility within the urban expanse of Lagos.^[1] The port lies about 7 kilometers west of Lagos city center, separated by the Lagos Harbor, a sheltered waterway that facilitates its role in regional trade.^[15] This positioning places it within the dynamic coastal environment of the Lagos Lagoon system, where tidal influences and sediment dynamics shape the local geography.^[16] Access to the port is provided through the Lagos Channel, which has depths ranging from 11 to 13.5 meters following recent dredging efforts, enabling navigation for larger vessels.^[17] The channel supports vessels up to 300 meters in length overall (LOA) and deadweights of around 85,000 tonnes, though standard operations historically accommodated ships up to 260 meters LOA and 35,000 DWT prior to infrastructure upgrades.^[18]^[1] Within the port complex, the Kiri Kiri Lighter Terminal caters to smaller vessels, offering a maximum depth of 4 meters for lighterage operations and intra-harbor transfers.^[1] This terminal enhances the port's adaptability to varying vessel sizes in the shallow waters adjacent to the main channels.^[14]

Connectivity and Infrastructure Links

The primary road access to Tin Can Island Port is via the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Ijora Bridge, which link the port to Lagos's mainland road network and facilitate the movement of cargo trucks and other vehicles.^[19] These routes, however, have long suffered from severe truck gridlock, with queues of vehicles often extending from the port gates through Ijora-Olopa Bridge to Apapa, disrupting logistics and causing economic delays.^[20] To address this, the Nigerian Ports Authority implemented the Eto electronic truck call-up system in 2021, which assigns scheduled entry times to trucks from designated parks, reducing gridlock on Apapa and Tin Can access roads by up to 80% initially, though resurgence of congestion has been reported in recent years due to enforcement challenges.^[21]^[22] The port connects to Nigeria's rail infrastructure through the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway, commissioned for commercial operations in June 2021, which supports container evacuation from the Lagos port complex—including Tin Can Island—to inland destinations like Ibadan, alleviating some road dependency.^[23] Further enhancements are underway, with the federal government initiating plans in 2025 for a dedicated rail line linking Tin Can Island Port to the Badagry Deep Sea Port and extending to other western ports, aiming to boost hinterland connectivity.^[24] In addition to transport links, the port offers essential support services for vessels, including bunkering by licensed oil companies to refuel ships at berth.^[1] Fresh water is supplied directly from on-site wells drilled to a depth of 250 meters, ensuring availability for all berths without external dependency.^[1] The facility also provides round-the-clock pilotage services to guide vessels safely through the Lagos channel, operating 24 hours a day to minimize turnaround times.^[1]

Facilities and Infrastructure

Berths and Terminals

The Tin Can Island Port Complex features 12 main berths dedicated to handling various cargo types, including containers, general cargo, vehicles, and bulk commodities. These berths are distributed across five terminals established following the 2006 port concessions: Terminals A, B, C, D, and PTML, which collectively span approximately 73 hectares of land area. The berths vary in configuration to accommodate different vessel requirements, with maximum drafts ranging from 10.5 to 11.7 meters, enabling the berthing of ships up to 260 meters in length overall (LOA).^[1]^[25] The port is designed to accommodate 10 to 16 vessels simultaneously, supporting efficient multi-vessel operations across its terminals, which achieve an average berth occupancy rate of 83%. Terminal A, managed for bulk and general cargo, includes berths 1, 1A, and 2 with a combined quay length of 484 meters. Terminal B, focused on containers, encompasses berths 3 through 5 (including 4A) totaling 776.9 meters in length. Terminal C handles containers and general cargo via berths 6 through 8 (including 7A), spanning 759.54 meters, while Terminal D serves containers, vehicles, and general cargo at berths 9 and 10 over 437.53 meters. PTML Terminal, specializing in vehicles and containers, operates berths 11 and 12 with a 490-meter quay length. These private terminal operators oversee daily management to optimize berth utilization.^[1]^[25] Adjacent to the main complex, the Kiri Kiri Lighter Terminal supports lighterage operations with two phases: Phase I and Phase II each featuring a 780-meter quay length, both with a maximum water depth of 4 meters for smaller vessels and barges. The port also includes dedicated grain handling infrastructure, such as silos with a total storage capacity of 28,000 metric tonnes, capable of processing up to 4,000 metric tonnes of grain daily to facilitate bulk imports like wheat and maize.^[1]^[25]^[14]

Equipment and Storage Capacities

The Tin Can Island Port features advanced equipment essential for efficient container handling, including mobile harbor cranes, such as Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 models capable of lifting up to 150 tons with a working radius of 54 meters, which support versatile operations for both containers and breakbulk cargo.^[26] Complementing these are 15 rubber-tyred gantry cranes designed for stacking and moving containers within the yard, along with reach stackers for lifting and positioning non-standard loads, and terminal tractors for internal transport across the facility.^[14] This suite of machinery enables seamless integration with the port's berths, enhancing overall cargo throughput.^[14] Storage facilities at the port are optimized for high-volume container operations, with a dedicated 24-hectare container yard to accommodate dwell times and temporary holdings.^[14] The total port area encompasses 73 hectares, supporting diversified storage for dry bulk, wet bulk, and refrigerated containers, including 274 dedicated reefer points across terminals.^[1] The container terminal is engineered for an annual throughput of 650,000 TEU, reflecting its role as a key hub for Nigeria's import-export trade.^[27] Additional infrastructure includes comprehensive CCTV surveillance systems for security monitoring, modern firefighting equipment compliant with international standards, and robust power supply setups incorporating backup generators to ensure uninterrupted operations.^[14] These elements collectively contribute to the port's operational resilience and safety, minimizing downtime in a high-traffic environment.

Operations

Cargo Types and Handling

Tin Can Island Port primarily handles containerized cargo, alongside dry bulk, liquid bulk, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vehicles, breakbulk, and grain shipments.^[1] Containerized cargo constitutes the dominant type, processed through specialized terminals equipped for high-volume box handling, while dry bulk includes commodities like grain and general dry goods, and liquid bulk encompasses petroleum products and other fluids.^[14] Ro-Ro operations focus on vehicle imports and exports, and breakbulk covers miscellaneous non-containerized items such as machinery and packaged goods.^[28] Cargo handling employs advanced equipment tailored to each type. For containers, ship-to-shore gantry cranes unload vessels, followed by rubber-tyred gantry cranes for stacking in the yard, enabling efficient storage and retrieval across the port's 24-hectare container areas.^[14] Ro-Ro vehicles are managed via dedicated ramps at the PTML Terminal, allowing direct drive-on and drive-off access to minimize loading times.^[29] Bulk cargoes, particularly grain, utilize suckers for unloading from ships, with silos providing 28,000 metric tonnes of storage capacity and conveyor systems facilitating transfer to inland transport; the grain terminal processes up to 4,000 metric tonnes daily.^[14] Breakbulk items are handled using mobile harbor cranes and forklifts for versatile lifting and positioning.^[1] Operations run 24 hours a day, supporting continuous vessel berthing and cargo movement with pilotage services available around the clock.^[1] Post-berthing vessel processing typically averages around 2 days, aided by the port's five terminal operators who oversee specialized processing to ensure prompt clearance.^[30] The port employs personnel across these terminals, with terminal operators collectively managing stevedoring and equipment use to maintain workflow.^[1]

Daily Operations and Efficiency

The daily operations of Tin Can Island Port are managed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) under a landlord port model, where the NPA oversees regulatory and infrastructural responsibilities while private terminal operators handle core activities.^[1] Since the 2006 concessions, five private operators—Josepdam Port Services Limited (Terminal A), Tin Can Island Container Terminal Limited (TICT, Terminal B), Port & Cargo Handling Services Limited (Terminal C), Five Star Logistics Limited (Terminal D), and Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML, Terminal E, specializing in roll-on/roll-off vessels)—have been responsible for terminal management, maintenance, and cargo handling across the port's berths.^[31] These operators commenced full operations by September 2006, enabling specialized routines tailored to diverse cargo types while ensuring compliance with NPA standards.^[1] Routine activities commence with 24-hour pilotage services for incoming vessels, facilitating berthing for up to 10-16 ships simultaneously across berths ranging from 100 to 260 meters in length.^[1] Once berthed, operators coordinate cargo evacuation using terminal-specific equipment, such as quay cranes and yard machinery, to discharge and load containers, bulk goods, and vehicles efficiently.^[1] Customs clearance is integrated through on-site collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, allowing for streamlined documentation and inspection processes that support prompt cargo release to bonded warehouses or direct evacuation.^[1] This procedural flow emphasizes minimal delays, with operators employing berthing window systems to sequence vessel arrivals and departures.^[32] Efficiency has been enhanced through post-2006 operational upgrades, including the implementation of electronic systems like the NPA's e-call-up platform for truck scheduling, which manages access to port terminals and reduces congestion on access roads.^[33] Berth occupancy stands at 83%, an improvement from 75% at the end of 2006, reflecting better utilization of the port's 15 berths totaling over 3,000 meters in quay length.^[1] Ship turnaround times have also seen marked reductions, with the full average vessel turnaround time (including waiting) averaging around 4.6 days as of mid-2025, down from longer durations pre-concession and earlier years, aided by modern equipment and CCTV-monitored security protocols.^[33] These metrics underscore the port's focus on procedural optimization to handle daily volumes of up to several thousand TEUs and bulk cargoes without excessive queuing.^[1]

Economic Importance

Trade Volumes and Statistics

The Tin Can Island Port serves as a key hub for containerized cargo in Nigeria, with an annual handling capacity of approximately 395,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). ^[14] Actual throughput has typically ranged between 500,000 and 600,000 TEU in recent years, reflecting recovery from the COVID-19 disruptions post-2020, amid overall national container traffic reaching 1,591,194 TEU in 2023 and rising to 1,744,972 TEU in 2024. ^[34] ^[33] Vessel traffic at the port averages 1,000 to 1,500 ships annually, positioning it as the second busiest port in Nigeria after Apapa, where it accounts for roughly 33% of national ship calls based on historical patterns. ^[35] ^[14] Since its opening in 1977, the port's trade volumes have shown steady growth, particularly during the oil boom of the 1970s and 1980s, which spurred infrastructure development and increased cargo flows. Throughput experienced peaks in the mid-2010s, with containerized cargo alone reaching 6,629,753 metric tons in 2014, but also notable dips during economic downturns, such as the 2,080,491 total tons recorded in 1994 amid political instability. ^[36] ^[37] The port features specialized facilities, including grain silos with a storage capacity of 28,000 metric tons, supporting bulk handling alongside its primary focus on containers, which constitute 70-80% of overall traffic. ^[14] ^[38]

Contribution to Nigerian Economy

Tin Can Island Port serves as a critical gateway for imports and exports in West Africa, facilitating the movement of containerized cargo, bulk goods, and vehicles that support regional trade and Nigeria's economic diversification efforts. Established in 1975 amid the oil boom and post-Nigerian Civil War reconstruction to alleviate congestion at Apapa Port, the facility was commissioned in 1977 and has since played a pivotal role in handling high volumes of non-oil exports, such as agricultural products and manufactured goods, thereby contributing to the growth of Nigeria's non-oil sector.^[1]^[39] Alongside Apapa Port, it accounts for approximately 90% of Nigeria's total trade value as of 2023, underscoring its importance in bolstering the national balance of trade.^[40] The port generates substantial employment opportunities, with terminal operators like the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) employing thousands of workers directly in operations, maintenance, and administration, while supporting tens of thousands more indirectly through associated logistics, supply chains, and ancillary services in Lagos. These jobs span skilled roles in cargo handling and digital systems management, enhanced by training programs that build maritime expertise and promote local industrial development. By reducing turnaround times and operational costs, the port enables small and medium enterprises to access global markets more efficiently, fostering broader economic inclusion.^[41] Economically, Tin Can Island Port bolsters Lagos's status as Nigeria's premier commercial hub by channeling revenue to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and federal coffers through duties, tariffs, and remittances, with the NPA alone generating N501 billion in 2023 across its facilities, including significant contributions from Tin Can operations. The port's customs command has recorded impressive collections, such as N747 billion in the first half of 2025, which fund national infrastructure and non-oil initiatives. Historically, its development aided post-war recovery by enabling rapid import of reconstruction materials, a role that continues to drive sustainable growth in trade-dependent sectors.^[39]^[4]^[1]

Reforms and Developments

2006 Port Reforms

The 2006 port reforms in Nigeria were initiated to tackle longstanding issues of inefficiency, corruption, and infrastructure decay at ports including Tin Can Island Port, which had suffered from prolonged vessel delays, pilferage, and bureaucratic bottlenecks under full public management by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).^[42]^[43] These reforms, guided by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), marked a shift to a landlord port model where the NPA retained land ownership and regulatory oversight while conceding terminal operations to private entities through competitive bidding and negotiated agreements.^[44]^[1] Key changes included the concession of Tin Can Island Port's terminals to private firms starting in May 2006, with five operators—Josepdam Port Services Ltd (JPSL), Five Star Logistics (FSL), Port and Cargo Handling Services (PCHS), Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT), and Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) as a build-operate-transfer (BOT) entity—taking over Terminals A, B, C, and D by June 2006.^[1] This process, spanning 10- to 25-year leases, also involved the merger of Tin Can Island Port with the adjacent RoRo Port in September 2006, integrating their operations and personnel to streamline roll-on/roll-off and container handling under PTML's BOT framework.^[1]^[42] The reforms reduced illegal fees, eliminated unauthorized personnel, and curtailed excessive bureaucracy, fostering a more competitive environment with intra-port rivalry among operators.^[42]^[44] Outcomes were marked by substantial private infrastructure investments, including equipment rehabilitation and terminal redevelopment, which boosted capacity and operational standards at Tin Can Island Port.^[1]^[42] Vessel turnaround times improved significantly, reducing from an average of 7-10 days pre-reform to approximately 5 days by 2011, with berth occupancy rising from 75% at the end of 2006 to higher levels, reflecting enhanced efficiency and reduced congestion.^[42]^[45] Throughput volumes also surged, from about 5.5 million tonnes in 2005 to over 15 million tonnes by 2011, underscoring the reforms' role in aligning the port with international benchmarks under the NPA's landlord model.^[45]^[44]

Recent Modernization Initiatives

In recent years, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has undertaken significant rehabilitation projects at Tin Can Island Port, including quay strengthening, channel dredging, and yard modernization, as part of broader efforts to address infrastructural decay since 2020. These initiatives aim to enhance berth stability and cargo-handling efficiency, with major works focusing on repairing aging quay walls and expanding storage yards to accommodate increased throughput. For instance, rehabilitation efforts have included upgrading terminal facilities to improve operational flow, directly contributing to reduced turnaround times for vessels.^[46] A landmark development occurred in October 2025 when the Federal Government approved $1 billion for the total reconstruction of major Nigerian ports, explicitly including Tin Can Island and Apapa, with procurement processes commencing immediately for rehabilitation works. This funding targets comprehensive upgrades such as modernizing cargo-handling equipment and digitizing operations to boost capacity and alleviate congestion. The overhaul is projected to create over 20,000 jobs and reclaim lost cargo volumes, with procurement processes underway as of late 2025.^[47] The NPA's action plan for addressing dilapidated areas at Tin Can Island emphasizes structural repairs and estimated costs around $600 million for defect remediation, positioning the port as a key beneficiary of this national initiative.^[48]^[49] To combat persistent gridlock, the NPA introduced the electronic truck call-up system, known as "Eto," in February 2021, which schedules truck entries and exits via a digital application for both Tin Can Island and Apapa ports. This technology has significantly reduced apapa-traffic snarls by managing vehicle movements more efficiently, though challenges like infrastructure vandalism have occasionally disrupted implementation. Complementing this, integration with the Lekki Deep Sea Port serves as an overflow mechanism, diverting larger vessels and cargo to alleviate pressure on Tin Can Island's shallower berths, thereby enhancing overall Lagos port system resilience.^[50]^[51] Strategic partnerships underscore these modernization drives, with the NPA forging global alliances to elevate Tin Can Island's role in regional trade hubs. Notably, the election of NPA's Managing Director as Vice President (Africa) of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) in 2025 has facilitated technical collaborations and capacity-building with international entities. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are expanding to fund dredging and equipment upgrades, including efforts to increase channel depth from the current 12-13 meters to 16-17 meters, enabling access for larger vessels and aligning with global standards.^[52]^[47]

Challenges and Future Outlook

Operational and Logistical Issues

The Tin Can Island Port experiences chronic congestion, particularly manifested as truck gridlock on access roads shared with the nearby Apapa Port complex, which significantly disrupts cargo evacuation and daily operations. This gridlock, often exacerbated by unregulated truck parking and high volumes of inbound vehicles, has been reported to affect port operations through delays in container movement and increased dwell times. Efforts such as the electronic call-up system (Ètò) implemented in 2025 have aimed to sequence truck entries and reduce illegal parking, yet resurgence of evening congestion persists due to overwhelming demand. Berth occupancy rates, averaging around 83% as of 2025, contribute to vessel waiting times of 2 to 5 days on average, with peaks reaching 5-7 days during high-traffic periods, leading to prolonged anchorage and demurrage charges.^[22]^[53]^[54]^[55]^[1]^[56]^[14] Logistical hurdles further compound these issues, including prolonged customs clearance processes that can extend beyond 48 hours for complex shipments due to manual documentation and verification bottlenecks. In November 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service launched a One-Stop-Shop initiative at ports including Tin Can Island, aiming to reduce average cargo dwell time to 48 hours per shipment and cut demurrage costs.^[57] Inadequate rail evacuation infrastructure remains a critical gap, with the port largely reliant on road transport as rail lines are underdeveloped or disconnected, resulting in lost opportunities for efficient bulk and container movement. Power supply inconsistencies force terminal operators to depend heavily on diesel generators, increasing vulnerability to fuel shortages and elevating maintenance costs for equipment like cranes and reefer plugs. These factors contribute to average ship turnaround times of 48-72 hours during peak periods in 2025, far exceeding global benchmarks of under 24 hours.^[58]^[59]^[60]^[61]^[62]^[63] Despite post-2006 reforms, remnants of corruption—such as unofficial fees at checkpoints—persist, adding approximately 15% to import costs and inflating overall operational expenses through delays. High costs from these inefficiencies, including demurrage and detention fees, have been estimated to cause annual economy losses of approximately USD 12,000 for port users due to delays. Recent modernization initiatives, including the 2025 security clearance operations, seek to address these by improving corridor management, though full resolution remains ongoing.^[64]^[65]^[66]^[67]

Environmental and Sustainability Concerns

The Tin Can Island Port, located in Lagos Harbor, faces significant environmental challenges from operational activities, including pollution from cargo spills and ship-generated waste. Incidents such as the 2009 spill of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) from a barge at the port have contaminated surrounding waters, posing risks to marine ecosystems and preventing vessel berthing.^[68] Ship-generated waste, including oily water and garbage, contributes to ongoing water pollution in the port area, with studies indicating inadequate reception facilities leading to illegal discharges.^[69] Dredging operations exacerbate siltation and sediment disturbance, releasing organic pollutants and heavy metals into the Tin Can Island Creek, which alters water chemistry and threatens benthic organisms and fish populations.^[70] Additionally, emissions from idling trucks and port vessels, driven in part by operational delays, result in high levels of carbon monoxide (CO up to 29.23 ppm in dry season), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂ up to 0.036 ppm), and CO₂ (up to 350 ppm), exceeding Nigerian and WHO air quality standards.^[71] Overall greenhouse gas emissions from vessel operations at Tin Can and nearby Lagos ports totaled approximately 16,335 tons of CO₂ in 2017, highlighting the port's substantial carbon footprint.^[72] The Lagos Harbor ecosystem surrounding Tin Can Island Port is particularly vulnerable due to its restricted circulation, low tidal range (0.3-1 m), and poor flushing, which amplify the persistence of pollutants like heavy metals from industrial effluents and port activities.^[73] North of Tin Can Island, sediments show elevated enrichment and contamination factors for potentially toxic elements, endangering biodiversity in the lagoon.^[74] Physico-chemical analyses reveal organic pollution and heavy metal trends in the lagoon, with concentrations of lead, cadmium, and others exceeding safe limits during both dry and wet seasons, linked to urban runoff and shipping.^[75] To address these concerns, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has implemented sustainability initiatives at Tin Can Island Port, including enhanced waste management through improved port reception facilities to comply with international standards and reduce ship-sourced pollution.^[69] Green port efforts encompass commemorations of World Environment Day in 2025, focusing on environmental protection and community awareness, alongside plans for energy-efficient equipment in modernization projects.^[76] Regarding regulations, the port strives for compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards on greenhouse gas reductions, though challenges persist in lowering the carbon footprint amid high vessel and truck emissions.^[77] As part of 2025 modernization, eco-friendly dredging techniques are incorporated into broader Lagos waterway projects like Omi Eko, aiming to minimize ecosystem disruption through sustainable sediment management and reduced chemical releases.^[78]

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Jul 1, 2024 · The Lagos complex, with the new Lekki container port and the neighbouring Tin Can Island port ... 650,000 TEU annually. Nigerian ports handle 2/3 ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
[28]
10 Major Ports In Africa - Marine Insight
Dec 17, 2022 · The port's grain terminal covers 8 hectares and handles around 30,000 tonnes of wheat annually. This terminal has bagging machines for flour and ...
[29]
PTML Nigeria becomes major transshipment hub to Europe ...
Aug 14, 2024 · PTML Nigeria, West Africa's largest roll-on roll-off (Ro/Ro) multipurpose port terminal, has become a major strategic logistics hub for the transshipment of ...
[30]
Port of Tin Can Island (NG TIN) - Econdb
5. Turnaround: 2.1 days. Vessels berthed: 0. Waiting: 0. Terminals. Total - Tin Can Island. 21, 44k, -, -, -, 2.1. Name. Calls. T/P. Dwell ex. Dwell im. T/S ...
[31]
Terminal Operators - Nigerian Ports Authority
Jul 21, 2022 · Terminal Operators: Tincan Island Port Complex, A. JOSEPDAM (TERMINAL A), Josepdam commenced operations in 10th May, 2006. Berth 1, 1A & 2 cover its Terminal ...
[32]
Shore handling Service - Tincan Terminal
Vessel Loading & Discharge. We operate a berthing window mode of operations at the quay side, eliminating delays before berth and upon completion of operations.
[33]
SYNOPSIS OF NPA PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS UNDER ...
Jun 18, 2025 · The NPA has also taken steps towards port capacity expansion through the operationalisation of new Ports and advancement of green port ...
[34]
[PDF] GSJ: Volume 13, Issue 10, October 2025, Online: ISSN 2320-9186
... time, Calabar port complex had 4.32 for the average vessel turnaround time, while. TinCan Island port complex had 5.37 as the average vessel turnaround time.Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024
[35]
[PDF] NPA-Today-March-2024.pdf - Nigerian Ports Authority
Mar 1, 2024 · While awaiting the necessary approvals for the funding of the reconstruction of the aged Tin Can Island Ports Complex and rehabilitation of ...Missing: 1991 | Show results with:1991
[36]
Shipping and Port Related Activities Data
Tin Can Island Port handled the most ships accounting for 33% of total number of ships that berthed in all ports and 32% of total tonnage registered in all ...Missing: vessel | Show results with:vessel
[37]
[PDF] Performance Evaluation of Nigerian Ports: Pre and Post Concession ...
On October 14,. 1977, the ultra modern Tin Can Island port was commissioned. Two years later (16th June 1979) the new Warri port was commissioned together with ...
[38]
(PDF) An Assessment of Cargo Throughput at Tin Can Island Ports ...
Jan 4, 2019 · The study carried out an assessment of cargo throughput at Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) Lagos, Nigeria between 1977 and 2014.
[39]
[PDF] 25 Year Ports Development Masterplan. Final Report.
Tin Can Island Port (1977) o. (Initial Turning Point) Technical Committee on ... Depth at berths: Apapa up to 13.5 m, Tin Can Island up to 11.7 m o. 236 ha of ...
[40]
NPA generates N501 billion revenue, to reconstruct Tincan Port ...
Mar 6, 2024 · ... a total of 80,244 TEUs in 2022, which by 2023 had grown to 118,046 TEUs.” The management added: “The NPA during the period under review ...
[41]
Why Apapa, Tincan account for 90% of trade route – Operators
Aug 7, 2023 · Customs licensed agents have explained why the Lagos Ports of Apapa and Tincan Island accounted for N10.83tn or 89.9 per cent of Nigeria's total trade of N12. ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[42]
How TICT is Driving Economic Growth in Nigeria Since 2006
Dec 6, 2024 · The terminal has significantly contributed to job creation, employing thousands of Nigerians both directly and indirectly. Additionally, it has ...
[43]
Nigerian Port Concessioning, 10 years of Port Reforms - FO Akinrele
Oct 12, 2016 · The concessioning programme with concession terms ranging from 10-25 years brought into existence the current system of private port operators ...
[44]
[PDF] Port reform in Nigeria - Open Knowledge Repository
Nigeria's port reform included a large concession program to address low efficiency, long wait times, and theft. 20 long-term concessions were awarded by 2006.
[45]
[PDF] NPA HANDBOOK.cdr - Nigerian Ports Authority
The Tin-Can Island Port was commissioned on 14th October,. 1977 with the two other Ports; the new Warri and Calabar Ports commissioned in 1979. The nation's ...
[46]
[PDF] Evaluation of Nigerian ports post-concession performance
Tin Can Island port (TCIP) and the RORO port. The merger was as a result of ... A review of the container vessels' turnaround times for 1996, 2006 and 2011,.
[47]
https://dredgewire.com/nigerias-port-overhaul-to-create-20000-jobs-reclaim-lost-cargo-oyetola/
[48]
FG approves $1bn modernization project for Lagos ports
Oct 23, 2025 · The Federal Government has approved a one billion US dollar modernisation project for the Lagos ports, just as it commenced procurement process ...
[49]
NPA reveals it's action plan for Tincan Port Reconstruction ...
The Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) has revealed strategies it has put in place to reconstruct Tincan Island Port which according to it has suffered dilapidation
[50]
PRESS STATEMENT: NPA TRUCK E-CALL UP TAKES OFF
Feb 23, 2021 · The Eto application will be responsible for the scheduling, entry and exit of all trucks into the ports with effect from 27th February 2021.
[51]
Nigeria's Lekki Deep-Sea Port Modernizes - Capmad.com
Nov 18, 2024 · This development is expected to reduce reliance on older ports like Apapa and Tin Can Island, which have faced congestion and limited capacity.
[52]
Creating regional hub for Nigerian ports through global alliances
Oct 20, 2025 · In Lagos, Apapa and Tin Can Island remain symbols of congestion. Poor access roads, shallow berths, and obsolete cargo-handling systems ...
[53]
Nigeria's port overhaul to create 20000 jobs, reclaim lost cargo
Feb 18, 2025 · “When the modernisation is completed, the draft of our port will be 16 to 17 meters. It is currently 12 to 13 meters.Missing: depth | Show results with:depth
[54]
Taming Lagos ports gridlock with technology - The Nation Newspaper
Nov 3, 2025 · From these parks, trucks are only released towards Apapa or Tin Can Island when their call-up time arrives. ... The electronic call-up system ...
[55]
Gridlock: Truck owners laud e-call up automation - Vanguard News
Jun 5, 2025 · “It has ushered in a new era of automation, transparency, and efficiency in port access and truck scheduling, resolving the long-standing chaos ...
[56]
‎Stakeholders Cry Out, Seek FG's Intervention To Avoid a Return of ...
‎ Port workers now battle renewed evening congestion as truckers and tankers swarm the port access roads daily, preventing other road users from ...
[57]
Custom Clearance Delay in Nigeria: Causes, Timelines & How to ...
Oct 17, 2025 · Facing customs clearance delays in Nigeria? Learn the real causes, timelines, and proven steps to clear goods faster.
[58]
Customs target two-hour cargo clearance at Tincan Island
May 9, 2025 · Customs target two-hour cargo clearance at Tincan Island. 9th May 2025. tincan-island-port. Tincan Island port. By Anozie Egole. Kindly share ...
[59]
Nigeria Loses Billions As Seaports Remain Cut Off From Rail ...
Sep 8, 2025 · Insufficient wagons and locomotives, along with the absence of specialised equipment for containerised and bulk cargo, were identified as major ...
[60]
Shippers' council begins implementation of new SOP as cargo ...
“There are many challenges in the port right now due to the shutdown which has resulted to congestion, but with this reintroduction of evacuation by rail, we ...
[61]
[PDF] Correlate-of-Port-Productivity-Components-in-Tin-Can ... - EA Journals
ABSTRACT: This study examined the relationship between cargo handling equipment and port productivity in Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.
[62]
(PDF) Ship Turnaround Time and Vessel Traffic in Nigerian Ports
Aug 10, 2025 · The Average ship turnaround time in Onne port is about 49% while Delta port is about 92% higher than the global average benchmark of 2days in ...
[63]
MACN report exposes extent of corruption at Nigerian ports - GLI
Jun 19, 2024 · The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network estimates that corruption adds 15% to the cost of critical imports.Missing: Island remnants
[64]
Port inefficiencies, corruption spike inflation, logistics costs by 40%
Port inefficiencies, corruption spike inflation, logistics costs by 40% – The Guardian Nigeria News. by | Jul 24, 2025 | Uncategorised | 0 comments.
[65]
Estimation of Cost of Delays on Vessel Operations in Container ...
Oct 15, 2025 · The port users experience mean economy loss of USD 12412.11 per annum due to delays in vessel operations in container terminals and incurred ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[66]
NPA MOVES TO SANITIZE PORTS CORRIDOR FOR EASE OF ...
May 16, 2025 · This exercise, tagged “NPA Security Clearance Operations 2025,” aims to tackle the various issues hindering smooth operations at the ports.
[67]
Nigeria: Nimasa Detains Oil Spilling Barge, Submits Report to Minister
Apr 17, 2009 · ... of the Tin-Can Island port and spilled its cargo of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) thereby preventing ship from berthing at that part of the port.Missing: Harbor | Show results with:Harbor
[68]
[PDF] Assessment of port reception facilities and waste management ...
Nov 3, 2019 · For example, any vessels entering the port of Tin Can would be charged a compulsory environmental fee by the port authority. The fee is ...
[69]
evaluation of some physico-chemical parameters of the tin can ...
The presence study showed that the Tincan Island creek is an organically polluted environment which might lead to significant alteration of the water chemistry ...
[70]
[PDF] A Study of Apapa and Tincan Island Seaports of - Juniper Publishers
Nov 6, 2023 · A visit to Apapa and Tincan ports shows that there are inadequate air pollution mitigation technologies in these seaports; therefore, to reduce ...Missing: dredging | Show results with:dredging
[71]
Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from port vessel operations at ...
Aug 7, 2018 · This article estimates the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from port vessel operations in the Lagos and Tin Can ports of Nigeria.Missing: footprint | Show results with:footprint
[72]
[PDF] SCENARIO REPORT ON THE LAGOS LAGOON PREPARED BY ...
The water body is particularly vulnerable in having restricted circulation and poor tidal flushing with a low tidal range (0.3 -1m), which exacerbate any ...
[73]
Spatial distribution of pollution levels and assessment of benthic ...
This area has the highest degree of pollution (Enrichment and Contamination Factors) especially north of Tincan Island where potentially toxic element (PTE) ...
[74]
Trend of heavy metal concentration in Lagos Lagoon ecosystem ...
Aug 5, 2025 · The Lagos lagoon is surrounded by urban development hence, it is a major recipient of industrial effluents, sewage discharges and urban/storm ...
[75]
[PDF] PA N - Nigerian Ports Authority
Jun 13, 2025 · Tin Can Island Port's commemoration of World Environment Day. 2025 is a timely reminder of our collective responsibility to protect our ...
[76]
2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships
Currently, many ships expend hours or days waiting outside ports and running their diesel engines – just-in-time operations could significantly cut emissions.Missing: Tin | Show results with:Tin
[77]
$$410m Omi Eko will transform Lagos waterways – Sanwo-Olu
Oct 22, 2025 · Designed to ease pressure on the city's congested roads, the initiative seeks to harness the state's vast waterways to connect communities more ...