Lekki Multi-Purpose Deep Seaport, the deepest of its kind in Nigeria

Approximately 2 months following the announcement of the completion of its construction, the Lekki Multi-Purpose Deep Seaport has been opened by President Muhammad Buhari. This took place during the president’s historic 2-day working visit to Lagos.

A few hours before the official inauguration of the Deep Seaport, the port received the first commercial container vessel. According to the Nigerian Ports Authority, the vessel is owned and operated by a French shipping firm, CMA/CGM.

Lekki Deep Seaport Project Overview

This is a multi-purpose, Deep Sea Port that is being developed at the heart of the Lagos Free Trade Zone. The deep seaport will feature two container berths of 680-meter long and 16.5-meter water depth and will also have the capacity to be berthed by fifth-generation container ships, which have a capacity of 18,000 TEU ships. When fully developed, the container terminals will be able to accommodate up to 13 New Panamax Class container vessels and two very large feeder vessels.

The port construction is being carried out by two major companies: China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the engineering and construction arm of China Construction and Communication Company (CCCC), and Louis Berger Group, USA.

Upon completion, Lekki Deep Seaport will be one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the entire West African region; providing a connection to the global shipping network. the Federal Government and the 36 states are expected to earn about US $361bn as revenue when operation begins at the seaport in Lagos. It is slated for completion in 30 months.

The Lekki port development project falls under the Greenfield ports development program, in which other projects have been proposed for Warri, Delta; Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State; Agge, Bayelsa State, and Bagary.

Summary 

Name                               Lekki Port

Location                           Lagos Free Zone, Nigeria

Type                                Multi-purpose deep sea port

Terminals                         Three (container, liquid, and dry bulk terminals)

Cargo tonnage                 4M tonnes/year

Container volume             2.5M teu

Start of construction         2017

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Reported earlier

2008

Design of business plan, EIA

Concluded various feasibility studies

2011

Concession agreement

2012

EPC contract SHA

Oct 2014

Nigeria’s Lekki Port expected to be operational by 2018

Nigeria’s Lekki Port is expected to be operational by 2018. The port will be the first-ever private/public partnership and completion will be a major milestone since the project has previously been threatened by a lack of funds as alleged.

This was confirmed by the Chief Finance Officer of the Group, Mr. Sandeep Parasramka, who also revealed that the Port project secured a boost through a recent conclusion of the due diligence required by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the key investors towards the project.

According to Mr. Parasramka, the African Development Bank (ADB) will provide US$ 150m to fund the project, while European Investment Bank (EIB) has also gotten approval from the Principal Board Approval to support the project. On the same, a few additional banks will join the International Banks in funding, once they secure Board Approval to invest in this commendable initiative.

Its strategic importance is making banks invest in it, as well as the attached competitive advantage, good financial returns, strong Government Support, and unprecedented economic value it is expected to inject into the economy.

May 2015

Construction work at the Lekki Deep Seaport in Nigeria commences

The US$1.65bn project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Limited by the Lekki Deep Seaport management during the kick-off ceremony. The amount of money issued will cater to the first phase of the project. However, Haresh Aswani the Managing Director of LPLE confirmed the total Lekki port project construction cost adds up to US$792m.

The Lekki Deep Seaport project is scheduled for completion with full operation in 2019 and when completed, the port will be ranked as one of the deepest seaports in Africa particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa given that it has a deepened length of 16.5m. The port will also be capable of handling about 10,000 post-Panamax container vessels with a TEU capacity.

Nonetheless, the port is expected to have an annual output capacity of about a 1.5million TEUs and in due time the number is expected to go up by 1.2 million TEUs. When fully finished with the vital requirements the port will also accommodate annually 16.7 million MT of liquid cargo as well as 4 million MT of dry bulk cargo.

As confirmed by the Lekki Deep Seaport MD, Mr. Aswani, the port’s main objective is to provide long-lasting congestion solutions as well as create convenient massive spur investments in line with the Lagos Free Trade Zone terms and conditions that lead to positive responses concerning the overall economy in the country.

The project will, however, provide a benefits package of 170,000 direct job opportunities to the Nigerians injecting about US$361bn into the country’s economy within a concession phase.

October 2015

Nigeria commits US$118mn to the Lekki Seaport project

The multi-billion Lekki Seaport project, which is slated to start in July this year, has received a boost of US$118m from the Federal Government. This was revealed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi.

The amount will add to the support of the project by the African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Diamond Chartered Bank, and African Finance Corporation (AFC) in terms of funding.  Tolaram Group is the major sponsor for the project and has promised full completion.

Lekki Seaport project’s, Mr. Haresh Aswani, has said the completion timeline expected is 40 months. He said private investors would build their industries knowing of the port development. The  Lekki Seaport project is a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and a Singaporean investor, Tolaram Group aiming at easing the present congestion in the Nigerian premier port, Apapa Quay, Lagos.

Roads to facilitate cargo evacuation will also be built and developers have gotten approval for new road construction according to Aswani. He said they had done a road study together with Lagos state Government and that the core investor was working with the government on a master plan.

The Lekki Deep Seaport project will also provide job opportunities. Nigeria has also planned the construction of other seaport projects – Badagry deep seaport, Olokonla port in Ogun state, Ogidigben port in Delta state, and the Ibom deep seaport in Akwa Ibom State, and the completion of Lekki will be inspirational to the projects, according to the NPA MD.

“The total amount of the federal government’s stake in this project is $118 million. What we had as of last year was US$5.04m and we have already paid that. We have already started making payments on this because there was an allegation that the government has not started making payments. That is totally wrong.

We have already paid our own dues as of last year. For the year 2015, we have made enough provisions to pay up the remaining amount that is due to us. It is still with the government but we have already made an agreement with them and we will pay it up by the end of the year,” MD Abdullahi added.

The Lekki port development project falls under the Greenfield ports development program, in which other projects have been proposed for Warri, Delta; Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State; Agge, Bayelsa State, and Bagary.

April 2016

Completion of Lekki Seaport in Nigeria slated for 2019

Nigeria’s deepest seaport in sub-Saharan Africa, Lekki Seaport to be completed in 2019. Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode pledged the complete the US$1.7bn project.

Speaking at the formal unveiling of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment which will also be known as Lagos Global, Governor Ambode further revealed the state’s mission to involve prospective investors in critical sectors such as transportation, health, and power, agriculture, tourism, housing, ICT and manufacturing.

He also gave an assurance that the state will eye for more investments in line with the State Development Plan (2012-2015).

Governor Ambode added that the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3 billion investment meant for completion in 2018, and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Park were among other investments coming to the state.

State’s Government Secretary, Tunji Bello said that the state government is focused on ensuring Lagos remains a choice destination for massive Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), including the Lekki seaport project.

Renowned economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, while lauding the initiative, said Lagos’s economy must therefore be 24 hours and that the growth of the state required significant cooperation from neighboring states.

Utomi said Lagos offers hope for the rapid growth of the country as it has the capacity to serve as the yard-stick to measure and encourage development, but that there has to be a concerted effort to make the state a more attractive idea of a developmental state, and that there must be a well-done plan to round up everything that Lagos represents in terms of possibilities through a branding process.

Governor Ambode has ordered the State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) to immediately embark on extensive repairs of the ever-busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

However, according to Ayotunde Sodeinde, General Manager and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Works, LSPWC had already mobilized its workers to immediately commence work on several sections of the highway. Work on the highway will involve giving a new look to the drainage systems as all potholes will be covered.

January 2018

Construction work kicks off on Lekki Deep Seaport in Nigeria

Construction work on the Lekki Deep Seaport in Nigeria has kicked off in earnest after the project stalled for years. This is according to the management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise.

Upon completion Lekki Deep Seaport will be one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the entire West African region; providing a connection to the global shipping network.

Acting Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Chidi Izuwah said during the inspection of the project that the Federal Government and the 36 states are expected to earn about US $361bn as revenue when operation begins at the seaport in Lagos. 

The port construction is being carried out by two major companies: China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the engineering and construction arm of China Construction and Communication Company (CCCC), and Louis Berger Group, USA.

“We are working tirelessly in conjunction with China Harbour Engineering Company to deliver a port which will be a state-of-the-art, model deep sea port, not only in Nigeria but in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Izuwah.

Also read: Completion of Lekki Seaport in Nigeria slated for 2019

Apart from the Lekki Deep Seaport, Nigeria is also planning the construction of another port in the southern part of the country. Ibom Deep Seaport will be situated in Akwa Ibom state within a licensed free trade zone.

Promoters of the project have already started looking for investors to help in its construction.

When fully developed, the container terminals will be able to accommodate up to 13 New Panamax Class container vessels and two very large feeder vessels.

However, a report released mid-last year appeared to cast doubt on the viability of port projects in West Africa with Lekki port being one of them.

The report from a consultancy firm, Drewry, observed that most seaport projects across the West African region are now in uncertain waters amid a change in the location and nature of transshipment hubs serving the market.

April 2018

The deepest seaport in Sub-Saharan Africa gets an operator

The promoter of Lekki Deep Seaport, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise (LPLE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CMA CGM Group, a French container shipping giant to operate the future container terminal of the seaport.

Recently, Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off the construction of the US $1.5bn Lekki Deep Seaport, the first deep seaport in the country. On completion, the port will have one dry bulk berth, three liquid berths, two container berths, a 1,200-meter-long quay, and 13 quay cranes which will have a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs, with a 16-meter depth.

CMA CGM now the official terminal operator will be responsible for the operations, maintenance, and marketing of the container terminal at Lekki Deep Sea Port through its subsidiary CMA Terminals.

According to Navin Nahata, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Chief Executive Officer the agreement signed with the CMA CGM Group is a significant step toward the right direction in the actualization of the Port, which will become the deepest port in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are excited about this development because CMA Terminals is a world-class port operator and can be relied upon to provide international port standard delivery services at par with most modern ports around the world to the Nigerian port customers,” said Mr. Nahata.

Also read: Construction work kicks off on Lekki Deep Seaport in Nigeria

On the other hand, Farid Salem, Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group said that they are pleased to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with LPLE to operate Lekki Port’s container terminal. “With CMA CGM’s unique service offering and expertise combined with our logistics and inland services, our presence in Lekki Port will benefit the entire Nigerian supply chain and market as well as neighboring countries,” he said.

During the official flagging-off ceremony graced by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government of Nigeria also pledged total support to the Lekki Port project.

CMA CGM Group

When completed, Lekki Port is expected to ease the unbearable congestion at the port of Lagos. Nonetheless, the project is fully in line with the CMA CGM Group’s development in the region. Additionally, Lekki Port’s container terminal will also allow the Group to develop its presence in West Africa’s first consumer market as well as serve as a transshipment hub, especially to the neighboring countries such as Togo and Benin.

Known as the second largest shipping company in Africa, CMA CGM Group has assured the Nigerian government of its full commitment to developing the port infrastructure. The Group has a network of 75 agencies and nearly 1,400 experts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

October 2019

US $629m deal inked for Lekki Deep Seaport project

US $629m financing agreement was signed by China Development Bank (CDB) with the government of Nigeria for the development of the Lekki Deep Seaport project, Nigeria’s first deep seaport.

Lekki State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who witnessed the signing said that the deal involves a 45-year concessionary agreement between China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which owns majority shares in the project and Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLTZ). They will work together to complete Phase 1 of the deep seaport project.

Also Read: Nigeria approves construction of Bakassi Deep Seaport

2020

Construction of Chele camp completed. Visit the construction site by external parties suspended due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. An infusion of over US $221m in equity funding was received from China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

In October, construction of the 680m long quay wall commenced, with the driving of the first sets of piles underway. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at the project site, the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Port, Mr. Ruogang Du, said that the commencement of piling of the quay wall, which is a major phase of the construction, symbolizes a significant step towards the timely delivery of the project.

In late November, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation directed Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the legal department to document an agreement with the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Ltd., to ensure that the port becomes operational in 2022. The Minister of Transportation gave this directive while inspecting the project.

May 2020

Lekki Deep Sea Port Project in Nigeria receives US $221m funding from CHEC

Lekki Deep Sea Port Project currently under construction at the Lagos Free Trade Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Nigeria, has received over US $221m equity funding from China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

This was made known by Mr. Biodun Dabiri, the Chairman of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited the company in charge of the development. Dabiri said that the equity injection coming at this time despite the global economic meltdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shows the deep commitment of CHEC to the success of the project which will significantly contribute to fast-tracking the timely delivery of the project and bring about economic prosperity to the West African region.

Lekki Deep Sea Port Project Overview

Lekki Deep Sea Port Project was awarded to Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited by Nigerian Ports Authority on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) agreement. Under this agreement, LPLEL is required to develop, finance, build, and operate the port for a period of 45 years and transfer it to NPA thereafter.

Also Read: US $629m deal inked for Lekki Deep Seaport project

The Project is the single largest private investment in infrastructure in Nigeria being developed on a non-recourse project finance basis with the majority of financing being raised internationally.

Expectations for the project

Upon completion, Lekki Deep Sea Port will be sub-Saharan Africa’s deepest port and Nigeria’s first deep sea port with a total of 3 container berths, 1 dry bulk berth, and 3 liquid berths which are key in bridging the current capacity deficit of the port.

It is also expected to have a significant positive impact estimated at US$361B over the term of concession and it is also expected to contribute more than US$200B to the government exchequer in addition to creating close to 170,000 new jobs. Furthermore, Lekki Deep Sea Port will spur economic development around the Lekki sub-region and the wider Lagos State through rapid industrialization.

Oct 2020

Construction of the quay wall at Lekki Port in Nigeria begins

The Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (Lekki Port), developers of the Lekki Port which is currently under construction at the Lagos Free Zone, Ibeju Lekki, in Nigeria has commenced the construction of the 680m long quay wall with the driving of the first pile.

According to the Lekki Port Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Steven Heukelom, the construction of the quay wall marks a major milestone from a technical standpoint because it is what will ensure that the port is capable of handling multiple container vessels of various sizes simultaneously.

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Heukelom explained that the quay wall will initially be 680m long, with the capacity to berth two vessels each of up to 18,000 Twenty feet Equivalent Units (TEUs). He further revealed that there will be a total of 857 steel piles on the Combi wall which is set to have a diameter of 1.15m – 2.3m, a thickness of 23mm, and a depth of between 28 – 41m.

The chief technical officer also mentioned that the container terminal would be equipped with seven Ship to Shore Cranes, 21 Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes, and other modern rolling terminal equipment.

Commitment to the timely delivery of the project

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony held at the project site, the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Port, Mr. Ruogang Du, said that the commencement of the piling of the quay wall, which is a major phase of the construction, symbolizes a significant step towards the timely delivery of the project.

Mr. Ruogang Du affirmed that despite the setback occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, both the investors and the contractors have demonstrated an admirable commitment to deliver the project as and when due.

“As we all know, the pandemic has affected global economic development and personnel mobility the world over. However, developers and investors in Lekki Port have not stopped moving forward. We are actively resuming construction and are striving to fulfill our commitment to officially open the port for operations in the first half of 2023. This is a commitment to Lagos state and a commitment to the republic of Nigeria, and we will do our best to achieve it, “he emphasized.

2021

In late March, it was announced that the deep sea port is 48% complete and will begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2023. According to Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the investors have given the government commitment to finalize the project in the first quarter of 2023.

“We will fulfill all our parts to make sure this date becomes reality. With the level of work we have seen, I’m truly excited. It is more gratifying that we are taking up this assignment with all energies required and we all can see what we can achieve when we work together,” said the governor during his working tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port at the Lagos Free Trade Zone.

In late April, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State, Sam Ebugbe, said that the state government has designed several intervention projects for the seamless take-off of the port in the next two years. He further added that the Lekki Deep Seaport would reduce congestion at Apapa Port in the state and would be four times bigger than the Apapa port.

In early May, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited announced that construction of the Lekki Deep Seaport has reached almost 50% with the completion of the 1,909m long core of the main breakwater while working on the quay wall and landside infrastructure has reached advanced stages. This significant milestone of the completion of the core of the main breakwater was achieved on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

The Managing Director, of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Mr. Du Ruogang, assured us that construction would be completed as scheduled with a targeted commercial operations date in Q4 2022. He affirmed that the container terminal operator – Lekki Freeport Terminal, a subsidiary of CMA/CGM is ready to commence operations once the construction is completed.

In early May, Lekki Port LFZ Enterprise Limited received US $60m which is the first installment of the US $629m loan facility from the China Development Bank for the seaport project.

In late May, the Managing Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), Mr. Du Ruogang, reaffirmed the commitment of the company to meet the 2022 target date set for the completion of the project.

He further disclosed that construction work on the project has so far moved at a fast pace reaching 51% completion, adding that some major milestones such as completion of the Eastern breakwater had been achieved.

In mid-July, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi expressed satisfaction over the level of progress recorded on the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project. He further urged the promoter of the Deep Seaport, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, to fast-track construction work and see to it that the Port commences operation by 2022.

The minister was speaking during an inspection of the Port by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other government agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), and the Nigerian Maritime Administrative and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

In early August, it was announced that the Lekki Deep Sea Port Project is moving forward according to schedule with 58.15% of the construction works being completed so far.

May 2021

China disburses US$ 60M for the construction of Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria

Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited has received US$ 60M, which is the first installment of the US$ 629M loan facility from the China Development Bank (CDB) for the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by Mr. Du Ruogang, the Managing Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited while briefing the delegation of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other stakeholders during the ministry’s first quarterly monitoring visit to the project site.

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Ruogang said that the funds were received on Thursday, April 29, 2021, as the company had satisfied all conditions precedent for the release of the funds, adding that this first installment of the US$ 629M loan facility was a major breakthrough in the quest to deliver the world-class deep seaport and to ensure that commercial operations commence before the end of 2022. 1

The US$ 629M loan facility agreement with the policy financial institution under the State Council of China’s direct leadership was signed in Lagos in 2019.

About the port project

China Harbour Engineering is building the port, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company on a 90-ha piece of land in the 830-ha Lagos Free Zone, created back in 2012 to stake Nigeria’s capital city claim to be the West African region’s premier manufacturing and logistics hub. 1

The project is so far 50% complete with the 1,909m long core of the main breakwater fully complete, and work on the quay wall and landside infrastructure is at advanced stages. When fully complete the port will have a total of 3 container berths, 1 dry bulk berth, and 3 liquid berths.

It will be one of the most modern ports in West Africa, offering enormous support to the burgeoning commercial operation across Nigeria and the entire West African region.

Aug 2022

Nigeria’s Lekki Sea Port reaches 95% completion, to commence operations in September

Lekki Port is nearly complete, and operation will start before the end of the year, according to the project managers. The multi-purpose, Deep Sea Port will be one of the most advanced ports. Furthermore, it will be located in the middle of the Lagos Free Zone and help increase trade.

“We are glad to inform you that the construction of Lekki Port is now 95.65% complete,” the administration tweeted. “The project manager and everybody involved is all committed to finishing the construction and launching port operations by the end of the year”.

This comes approximately 7 months after the Lekki Deep Seaport project was reportedly 80 percent complete. Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited revealed a monthly progress report which stated that it was optimistic that with the continued support of the stakeholders, the scheme was on track for the port operation to commence in the coming months.

The work on dredging and reclamation was 89.93 percent completed with the Quay wall being at 85.65 percent. The Breakwater was 79.66 percent completed while landside infrastructure, works were at 67.82 percent, bringing the total works carried out on the scheme as of the 6th of January 2022 to the 79.68 percent completion stage.

Nov 2021

China Harbour completes construction of Lekki deep seaport

China Habour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise (CHELE), a subsidiary of China Habour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), has announced the completion of the construction of the Lekki deep seaport. Lekki Port is one of the biggest deep seaports in West Africa.

Mr. Wu Di, Vice President of CHEC who is also a director of Lekki Port, disclosed this during the construction completion ceremony on Monday, 31 October 2022, at the Port located at Itoke Village, Ibeju Lekki. Mr. Di stated that the Port’s construction formally began on June 2020, and was completed on Monday, October 24, 2022. He disclosed that the first phase of the project’s EPC contract has a total contract value of USD 581m.

Furthermore, he said that the container terminal operator, the Lekki Free Port Terminal (a division of the CMA/CGM group), would now be able to take control of the Port in preparation for the resumption of port operations.

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Remarks on the successful conclusion of Lekki deep seaport

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed his happiness at the port’s completion while delivering his speech. Additionally, Sanwo-Olu underlined the dedication of the State Government to the construction of the road network along the Ibeju Lekki axis. In order to guarantee the orderly removal of goods from the port.

In his remarks, Mr. Dabiri, the chairman of the Lekki Port Board of Directors, expressed his gratitude to CHEC and Tolaram. As well as the project’s sponsors, for their audacious choice to invest in maritime infrastructure.

He said, “We are happy to commemorate the completion of the port’s construction and Lekki Port’s effective turnover of the facilities to the EPC Contractor, CHELE), a CHEC subsidiary.”

Additionally, Dabiri highlighted the crucial part performed by Governor Sanwo-Olu in managing the many difficulties encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Xie Xianju, General Project Manager of CHELE, expressed his joy at the construction’s completion. He indicated that the Port would be the preferred location, as it has the ability to accommodate huge vessels. He expressed his gratitude to the partners and suppliers for their contributions to the conclusion of the Lekki deep seaport.