NG Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
A Nigerian UN/LOCODE normally begins with the country prefix NG and is followed by a three-character location identifier. The full five-character code identifies the country and location together.
Seaports in Nigeria: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Nigeria has 30 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and serves as a major maritime gateway for West African container, energy and general-cargo trade.
Compare port-code coverage, regional cargo roles and current sea-freight planning considerations for Nigeria.
Nigeria Port Overview
Nigeria’s maritime network supports imports for the country’s large consumer and industrial markets, exports of energy and agricultural products, and regional distribution across West Africa. Indexed-port coverage and international TEU rankings are separate measures and should not be treated as equivalent.
30
Nigeria ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
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National seaborne cargo volume, 2025; YoY change not published in a consistently comparable official series
NPA 2025 public reporting
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Container throughput in TEU, 2025; YoY change not published in a consistently comparable official series
NPA 2025 public reporting
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Commercial berths, 2025; YoY change depends on port and terminal scope
NPA 2025 port information
How many seaports does Nigeria have?
Nigeria has 30 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Oct 2026 database snapshot. The indexed count is a database-coverage measure, not a statutory count of every public, private or inland facility.
Which ports are most relevant to Nigeria’s international cargo?
Lagos-area gateways are generally the most important for Nigeria’s containerised imports, while Port Harcourt and Onne are significant for energy, project and regional cargo. The indexed sample also includes Lisbon (PTLIS), Leixoes (PTLEI) and Porto (PTPOR); these records should be checked against the current UN/LOCODE directory before booking.
Which region handles the largest share of Nigeria’s seaborne trade?
The Lagos and wider Gulf of Guinea corridor is generally the country’s principal container and consumer-goods zone. Port-code records such as Lisbon (PTLIS) and Leixoes (PTLXS) are shown in the supplied index sample and require operational verification for a Nigeria shipment.
Top Ports and Indexed Port Records
The table below follows the supplied first-party sample order, which is sorted by indexed business activity. It is not a published Nigeria TEU league table. Publicly comparable 2025 throughput and ranking figures are not assigned where the supplied record cannot be reliably matched to a Nigerian gateway.
Indexed records supplied for the Nigeria page; validate port identity and routing before using a record for a booking.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Lisbon | PTLIS | — | — | Atlantic |
| — | Leixoes | PTLEI | — | — | Atlantic |
| — | Porto | PTPOR | — | — | Atlantic |
| — | Zona Franca Da Madeira | PTZFM | — | — | Island Atlantic |
| — | Leixoes | PTLXS | — | — | Atlantic |
| — | Oporto | PTOPO | — | — | Atlantic |
| — | Sines | PTSNS | — | — | Atlantic |
| — | Aveiro | PTAVE | — | — | Atlantic |
Nigeria Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Nigeria’s operational port geography is normally assessed through the Lagos, Niger Delta and eastern Gulf of Guinea corridors. The tables retain only records present in the supplied sample; city and province fields are reproduced as provided.
Lagos and Western Gateway Cluster
The Lagos corridor is typically the primary market for containerised imports, consumer goods and inland distribution. Confirm the terminal and customs routing separately from the city name.
Indexed records associated with the western gateway view.
Eastern Gulf of Guinea and Energy Corridor
Eastern Nigerian gateways are commonly associated with oil-and-gas support, project cargo, bulk movements and regional supply chains. Cargo acceptance, draft and terminal restrictions are subject to confirmation.
Indexed records associated with eastern and energy-corridor planning.
Island and Special-Trade Records
Island and special-trade records may represent niche calls, feeder services or database aliases rather than Nigeria’s principal container gateways. Their commercial availability should be checked with the carrier.
Additional supplied records with island or special-trade descriptions.
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zona Franca Da Madeira | PTZFM | Zona Franca Da Madeira / — | Special-trade and island reference |
| Funchal | PTFNC | Funchal / — | Island service reference |
| Porto Santo Island | PTPXO | Porto Santo Island / — | Island service reference |
Nigeria Port Codes and UN/LOCODE Format
UN/LOCODE identifiers are used by carriers, freight forwarders, customs systems and trade documentation. A code should be checked against the named port, city, terminal and current carrier routing before cargo is released.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Differences
A city-level code may cover a wider port area, while a terminal or facility record can be more specific. Bills of lading, booking confirmations and customs documents should use the code requested by the carrier and authorities.
How to Verify a Port Code
Cross-check the location in the UNECE UN/LOCODE directory and compare it with the searchable Ecer Freight port-code directory. Verify terminal acceptance separately because a valid code does not guarantee a current sailing.
Shipping from Nigeria: Main Trade Lanes
Nigeria’s ocean freight patterns are shaped by consumer imports, machinery, chemicals, energy-sector cargo and exports to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and other African markets. Transit times are indicative and subject to carrier schedules, transshipment and port conditions.
Nigeria–North Europe
A regular trade lane for machinery, consumer goods, chemicals and industrial inputs, commonly involving direct or transshipment services.
Nigeria–Mediterranean
Mediterranean services support vehicle, food, machinery and project-cargo flows, with routing dependent on the selected carrier and transshipment hub.
Nigeria–Asia
Asia is an important source region for manufactured goods, electronics, machinery, textiles and construction materials bound for Nigerian markets.
Nigeria–West Africa
Regional services connect Nigeria with neighbouring Gulf of Guinea markets and support containerised distribution, project cargo and short-sea movements.
Data Sources and Methodology
This page separates Ecer Freight’s indexed port coverage from official port statistics and international throughput rankings. Figures are reviewed against available public sources and should be confirmed for commercial decisions.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party index containing 30 Nigeria port and terminal records in the Oct 2026 snapshot.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — country prefixes and location-code verification reference.
- Nigerian Ports Authority — official port information, operational context and publicly released traffic materials.
- National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria — official economic and trade-statistics reference where applicable.
- UNCTADstat — international maritime and trade indicators used for comparative context where available.
Nigeria Port FAQ
How many seaports does Nigeria have?
Nigeria has 30 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Oct 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage figure and may not equal every legally defined or operational facility in Nigeria.
Which is Nigeria’s busiest port area?
The Lagos port area is generally regarded as Nigeria’s leading container and consumer-cargo gateway. Exact rankings vary by terminal scope, cargo type and reporting year.
What is the port code format for Nigeria?
Nigeria’s UN/LOCODE country prefix is NG, followed by a three-character location identifier. The code should be checked against UNECE and the carrier’s booking system.
Which regions are important for Nigeria sea freight?
The Lagos and western Gulf of Guinea corridor is central to containerised imports, while the Niger Delta and eastern Gulf of Guinea support energy, project and general cargo flows.
How current is the Nigeria port data?
The first-party database snapshot is dated Oct 2026, while the most recent complete statistical year used for comparison is 2025. Port schedules, restrictions and throughput figures remain subject to confirmation.
Can a freight forwarder quote a shipment from Nigeria?
Yes. A reliable quote normally requires origin and destination, cargo description, container size, gross weight, Incoterms, ready date and whether the shipment is FCL or LCL.
Are port-code records the same as terminal booking instructions?
No. A UN/LOCODE identifies a location, but the carrier may require a particular terminal, facility code, inland depot or documentation instruction for the actual booking.
Editorial note: Nigeria port coverage is based on the Ecer Freight database snapshot from Oct 2026. Official port, trade and maritime sources are used for context where comparable figures are publicly available. Port-code records, carrier schedules, terminal acceptance and operational statistics should be rechecked before shipment confirmation; this page is reviewed and updated on a recurring basis.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Nigeria: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact