- Nigerdock and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have signed a 45-year sub-concession agreement to develop and operate an exclusive container terminal at Snake Island Port, Lagos.
- The project, covering 30 hectares, is set for completion by 2028 and will feature a 910-meter quay and an 18-meter draft, allowing for larger vessels to berth in Nigeria.
- The partnership is expected to attract significant foreign direct investment, enhance the efficiency of the Nigerian maritime industry, and create thousands of local jobs.
The Nigerian maritime landscape is poised for a transformative shift as Nigerdock and the global shipping giant, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), finalized a long-term agreement to develop a world-class container terminal.
The 45-year sub-concession, announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026, focuses on an exclusive 30-hectare facility within the Snake Island Port in Lagos.
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This strategic move aims to position Nigeria as a more competitive player in global trade and a central hub for shipping across the African continent.
According to the development roadmap, the terminal is scheduled for completion in 2028.
It will boast high-capacity infrastructure, including six ship-to-shore cranes, a 910-meter quay, two ship berths, and three barge berths.
Crucially, the terminal will feature a draft of up to 18 meters, a technical specification that allows the largest modern container ships to dock, a capability that has historically been a bottleneck for many Nigerian ports.
This expansion effectively gives MSC, the world’s leading shipping line, a permanent and specialized “home” within Nigerian waters.
Maher Jarmakani, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerdock, expressed high optimism about the alliance, noting that the deal represents more than just infrastructure.
He emphasized that the partnership would accelerate growth in the logistics industry and bring in much-needed foreign direct investment.
By integrating MSC’s vast global network with Nigerdock’s localized expertise in the Snake Island Free Zone, the project is designed to streamline the supply chain for both importers and exporters.
Echoing this sentiment, MSC President Diego Aponte highlighted the group’s long-standing commitment to Africa, which dates back to 1971.
Aponte stated that the Snake Island Container Terminal would significantly elevate the port’s status as a global shipping center while increasing the economic resilience of the region.
Beyond the technological upgrades, the terminal is expected to be a major engine for employment, generating thousands of local jobs during both the construction phase and the subsequent decades of operation.
Nigerdock currently operates Snake Island Port as an integrated multi-terminal facility.
This new 45-year deal specifically targets the containerized segment of the market, which has seen consistent growth despite broader economic fluctuations.
For Lagos, this development promises to alleviate some of the pressure on existing port facilities and provide a modern, efficient gateway for the movement of goods in and out of the country.
