Apapa, Tin Can rank among world’s most improved container ports

By Godwin Oritse

Nigeria’s two busiest seaports, Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, have been ranked among the world’s top 20 most improved container ports over the past five years, according to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) released by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The report ranked Tin Can Island Port 10th globally among ports with the highest improvements between 2020 and 2025, while Apapa Port placed 12th, reflecting significant gains in operational efficiency and vessel turnaround performance.

According to the report, Tin Can Island Port improved its CPPI score by 42 points, rising from -68 in 2020 to -26 in 2025. Apapa Port recorded a 35-point improvement, moving from -61 to -26 during the same period.

The rankings place Nigeria among a select group of countries that have achieved substantial improvements in port efficiency, cargo handling operations and vessel turnaround times over the last five years.

Nigeria’s ports ranked ahead of several major international facilities, including Port of Marseille, Port of Iskenderun and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, which placed 11th, 13th and 14th respectively.

The report identified Port Elizabeth as the world’s most improved container port, recording an 80-point increase. It was followed by Khalifa Bin Salman Port with 75 points and Posorja Port with a 70-point improvement.

Other ports listed among the top 20 most improved include Muhammad Bin Qasim Port, Haiphong Port, Savona-Vado Port, ports in Mawan, Keelung and Fuzhou in China, Port of Kobe, Port of Philadelphia, Port of Itapoa and Port Said.

Now in its sixth edition, the CPPI evaluates container port performance worldwide using vessel call data and measures efficiency based on the time ships spend in port. Key indicators include nautical access, berth availability, cargo-handling productivity, yard operations and coordination among port stakeholders.

The report noted that global supply chains have faced significant disruptions in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, vessel rerouting and climate-related events. These challenges have contributed to congestion and delays across international shipping networks.

It highlighted vessel turnaround time as a critical measure of supply chain resilience and efficiency, noting that high-performing ports enhance trade competitiveness and improve the ability of supply chains to withstand and recover from disruptions.

In the foreword to the report, De la Borde and Guy Sear stated that supply chain disruptions often manifest in ports through vessel bunching, schedule unreliability and congestion. They noted that prolonged vessel stays reduce available shipping capacity and contribute to delays across global trade networks.

They added that the CPPI provides an objective benchmark for measuring port performance by relying on actual vessel call data rather than self-reported indicators.

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