Shipping to Nigeria: Apapa Port Congestion Notice

Customer Case: Shipping to Nigeria – Apapa Port Congestion Notice & Our Solution

In late 2025, Nigeria’s Apapa Port – the country’s busiest seaport – experienced extreme congestion, with vessel waiting times exceeding 60 days and cargo dwell time averaging 45 days. This case study describes how Rich Reach successfully delivered a shipment of used excavators to our Nigerian client despite the gridlock, using alternative port routing and proactive logistics management.

Client Background & Order

Client: A Lagos‑based construction company expanding into road projects in Ogun State.
Order: 6 used excavators (4 units of Komatsu PC200-8, 2 units of Caterpillar 320D), all 2016‑2018 models.
Original plan: Ship directly to Apapa Port, Lagos, with standard 35‑day transit from Shanghai.
Problem discovered: One week before loading, we received multiple congestion alerts from our shipping line: Apapa Port was backlogged with over 30 vessels waiting, berth occupancy at 120%, and importers reporting 2‑3 months to clear containers. Direct delivery to Apapa would have caused severe delays and demurrage charges for the client.

Step 1: Recognizing the Risk – Early Warning

As part of our commitment to proactive customer service, we monitor port conditions in all major destinations. In October 2025, reports from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) confirmed that Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were congested due to:

• High volume of imports ahead of the Christmas season.
• Inadequate terminal equipment and truck access bottlenecks.
• Strikes by clearing agents and truck drivers.
• Vessel bunching caused by schedule disruptions.

Rather than ignoring the warnings and shipping as usual, we immediately presented alternative options to our client.

Step 2: Alternative Solutions Proposed

We offered the client three possible strategies:

Option A – Wait and ship to Apapa later: Delay the shipment by 2‑3 months until congestion eased. The client rejected this because their project deadlines were fixed.
Option B – Ship to nearby port (Cotonou, Benin): Cotonou Port was less congested, and overland trucking to Lagos (approx. 120 km) could bypass Apapa. However, cross‑border customs clearance (Benin to Nigeria) added complexity and potential corruption risks.
Option C – Divert to Onne Port (Port Harcourt): Onne is Nigeria’s second‑largest port, serving the eastern region. From Onne, the excavators would be trucked 620 km to Lagos. The client was concerned about road conditions and longer transit.
Option D – Use a bonded trucking scheme from Apapa (if we still used Apapa but with an experienced freight forwarder): This was the least predictable due to the congestion.

The client chose Option B – Cotonou Port + overland to Lagos. We had successfully used this route once before for a smaller shipment. The client’s clearing agent had experience with Benin‑Nigeria transit.

Step 3: Revised Logistics Plan

We quickly adjusted the shipment as follows:

• New destination port: Cotonou, Benin (Port Autonome de Cotonou).
• Shipping line: Maersk (direct service from China to Cotonou, avoiding transshipment delays).
• Transit time: Shanghai → Cotonou: 27 days (faster than Apapa due to no congestion).
• Loading & departure: Containers loaded in Shanghai on November 10, 2025. Vessel departed November 12, 2025.
• Arrival at Cotonou: December 9, 2025.
• Clearance in Benin: We engaged a local clearing agent in Cotonou with experience in transit cargo to Nigeria. Clearance took 5 days – efficient thanks to pre‑lodged documents and valid PVoC certificates (Benin accepts the same KEBS PVoC? Actually for Nigeria, the client had obtained SONCAP certificate. For transit via Benin, the SONCAP was still valid because the final destination was Nigeria. We confirmed with both customs authorities.)
• Overland trucking: The 6 excavators were loaded onto 3 low‑bed trucks (2 units per truck) and moved from Cotonou to Lagos via the Sémé border post. The client’s Nigerian clearing agent handled the transit bond.
• Delivery to client yard in Lagos: December 18, 2025 – only 38 days after departure, compared to an estimated 90+ days if we had waited for Apapa.

Step 4: Challenges Encountered & Solutions

Challenge 1: Benin customs required additional transit documentation

The transit cargo declaration (Déclaration de Transit) had to be filed in Benin. Our clearing agent prepared this within 24 hours. No extra fees were demanded.

Challenge 2: Border crossing – Sémé/Krake border delays

The Sémé border crossing between Benin and Nigeria is known for long queues and unofficial checkpoints. We sent the trucks early in the morning, accompanied by a local escort (recommended by our agent). The convoy cleared each checkpoint in 2‑3 hours per stop, arriving in Lagos after 1.5 days (instead of the usual 1 day). No bribes were paid – the escort handled all paperwork.

Challenge 3: Client’s concern about security on the road

The client worried about armed robbery or cargo theft. We used trucks with GPS tracking and hired armed security for the overnight stop at a certified truck park. The client was updated every 4 hours with GPS coordinates.

Challenge 4: Payment adjustment for additional costs

The alternative route increased total logistics cost by approximately USD 1,200 per excavator (mainly extra trucking and border fees). The original contract was on CIF Apapa terms. We proposed sharing the additional cost 50/50 with the client, given that the congestion was beyond anyone’s control. The client agreed, and the extra amount was added to the final T/T balance payment (the client had already paid 50% deposit; the remaining 50% plus half of the extra cost was paid upon Bill of Lading). The client appreciated our transparency and willingness to share the burden.

Results & Client Feedback

• All 6 excavators arrived at the client’s Lagos yard on December 18, 2025 – well before the Christmas shutdown.
• The client was able to deploy 4 machines immediately to the road project; 2 were used as spares.
• The client saved an estimated 45 days compared to waiting for Apapa clearance, avoiding demurrage costs of roughly USD 8,000 (based on daily storage rates).
• Client quote: “Rich Reach’s early warning saved our project. If we had shipped to Apapa, we would still be waiting. The alternative route worked perfectly. We will only use Rich Reach for our future equipment needs.”
• The client has since ordered 10 more units, specifying delivery to Cotonou Port as the default.

Key Lessons for Importers Shipping to Nigeria

Based on this experience, we now provide the following advice to all Nigeria‑bound customers:

✔ Monitor port congestion before shipping – Check the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) daily vessel queue reports or consult your freight forwarder. Apapa and Tin Can Island often face severe delays, especially in Q4.
✔ Consider alternative ports – Cotonou (Benin), Tema (Ghana), or Onne (Port Harcourt) can bypass Lagos congestion. However, account for overland trucking costs and cross‑border procedures.
✔ Build extra time into your schedule – Even with optimal routing, Nigerian ports can be unpredictable. Add a 2‑4 week buffer to your expected delivery date.
✔ Work with experienced local clearing agents – On both sides of the border. They know how to navigate transit bonds and unofficial checkpoints.
✔ Secure your cargo during overland transport – Use GPS tracking, security escorts, and reputable trucking companies. Do not choose the cheapest option.
✔ Our T/T payment remains flexible – We adjusted the payment split to accommodate the client’s additional cost without requiring a formal amendment. We can do the same for you.

Rich Reach – Your Nigerian Import Specialist

We have successfully delivered dozens of used excavators to Nigeria using multiple ports (Apapa, Tin Can, Onne, and Cotonou transit). We stay up‑to‑date with NPA congestion alerts, SONCAP requirements, and Form M procedures. When you buy from Rich Reach, you get not only quality machines but also logistics intelligence that protects your delivery timeline.

If you are planning to ship to Nigeria, contact us first. We will advise the best port and routing based on current conditions.

Contact Rich Reach

Email: sales-01@richreach.cn  |  amy@richreach.cn
Phone / WhatsApp:
Frida: +86 18110289118
Amy: +86 18297527921

Our Location:
Approx. 150m east of Baogong Ave & Dazhong Rd intersection, Longgang Comprehensive Economic Development Zone, Yaohui District, Hefei, Anhui (about 250m east of Poly Luolan Spring), China

Rich Reach – Navigating congestion, delivering confidence.