Examination of Port Congestion and Its Impact on Shipping Efficiency at Tin Can Island Port

Port congestion represents a major operational challenge for international and coastal shipping in Nigeria, with cascading effects on supply chains, shipping costs, and national trade competitiveness. This study examines the causes and effects of port congestion at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, one of Nigeria's busiest container terminals. The research adopts a descriptive survey design, using structured questionnaires administered to sixty port users including freight forwarders, shipping agents, terminal operators, and truck drivers. Secondary data were obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority traffic reports covering the period from 2020 to 2024. Findings reveal that congestion at Tin Can Island is primarily driven by inadequate berth capacity relative to vessel traffic volume, slow cargo examination procedures by customs authorities, insufficient inland container depots, and limited rail connectivity to the hinterland. The average vessel waiting time before berth allocation was found to exceed seventy-two hours for the majority of cargo vessels during peak periods. The study also identifies an association between port congestion and increased demurrage charges, which are ultimately borne by Nigerian importers and consumers. Recommendations include accelerated investment in terminal infrastructure expansion, digitisation of cargo documentation processes, and development of inland dry ports to decongest the Lagos port environment. The study provides useful baseline data for port planners and shipping policy analysts. Keywords: port congestion, Tin Can Island, shipping efficiency, cargo operations, Nigerian Ports Authority