The port of Lagos has long had the reputation of being a headache

Lagos, March 15 (AFP/APP): The port of Lagos has long had a reputation in the shipping industry of being a headache — a hub where costly delays and other obstacles are legion.

But many in the business say the gateway to the huge market of Nigeria has become even more choked in recent months, its problems amplified by Covid and maritime piracy. “It’s total chaos,” “a disaster,” “an absolute mess,” were some of the terms used recently by several company representatives who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

“Some of my ships have to wait up to 80 days off the coast before being allowed to enter the port. It’s unacceptable!” said an operations manager at a large shipping company. “Also, because of the insecurity off the coast of Nigeria, they have to wait in Cotonou or Lome.” Last year, each of the port’s terminals was able to host six to seven container ships per week — a rate that has since fallen to three per week.

The mouth of the sprawling complex is a slow, unending ballet of container ships, freighters and oil tankers as they crawl up in the queue for loading or unloading. The port authorities did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment.