Nigeria currently handles less than a million TEUs per annum which makes it one of the lowest per capita throughputs in the world. However, in the recent past, the volumes have been growing at an exponential rate, with growth rates averaging in excess of 20%. This trend is set to continue over the next decade. The current port capacity stands around one million TEUs and offers very limited scope for expansion. At the projected rates it is estimated that there will be a shortfall in capacity of about 2million TEUs by 2015.

When fully completed, Port@Lekki will be able to handle in excess of 6million TEUs of containers, together with significant volumes of liquid and dry bulk cargoes. The port will be developed in phases to meet the rising demand. In the first phase, which is expected be operational by early 2013, the port will have three container berths equipped to handle over 1.2million TEUs, two liquid berths and one berth for dry bulk cargo.