Lagos (6°24'N., 3°24'E.) - Lagos, also known as Abuja, is the largest and main port of Nigeria. The harbor consists of a passage, about 6 miles long, which connects Lagos Lagoon with the sea. This passage leads between Lagos Island and Victoria Island, on the E side, and the mainland, on the W side.

The harbor includes two extensive port installations. The Apapa complex is situated on the W side of the main channel; and the Tin Kan Island complex is situated on the NW side of Badagri Creek, which is entered on the W side of the harbor, about 2.5 miles above the entrance.

Winds—Weather.—The winds are generally SW from midmorning to evening, being light in January and stronger during July and August. During the night and in the early morning, the winds are usually light and from the N. Periods of early morning fog and haze sometimes occur, especially in January and February.

Tides—Currents.—The tides at the bar rise about 0.9m at springs and 0.7m at neaps.

On the bar, the direction and strength of the tidal currents vary, but generally, the ebb current sets diagonally across the bar. The flood current usually sets NE until within the entrance, when it sets N and up the harbor. The flood current runs during the dry season for about 5 hours while the ebb current runs for about 7 hours. In the rainy season, the flood current is sometimes imperceptible as it is almost equaled by the outflow of the river.

In the lower part of the harbor, the ebb current frequently attains a rate of 4 knots, with the flood current attaining a rate of 3 knots. In the upper part of the harbor, the ebb current attains a rate of 3 knots, with the flood current attaining a rate of 2 knots.

During the rainy season, the ebb current has been observed to attain a rate of 5 knots and the river level has been observed to rise by as much as 0.9m. At about half ebb, a volume of deep-brown surface scum usually pours out of the harbor from the lagoon and extends up to about 3 miles offshore. During the rainy season (June to September), this scum discolors the water up to about 8 miles seaward of the harbor. However, very little discoloration occurs during the dry season.

It was reported (1988) that an almost constant ebb current sets along the Apapa Quay. This current was observed at times to attain a rate of as much as 6 knots.

Depths—Limitations.—The bar, which lies across the entrance of the harbor between the moles, was reported (1995) to have a dredged depth of 9.1m at LW.

The complex at Apapa has 2,459m of main quayage, which provides 20 berths. These berths are 61 to 250m long and have depths of 5.8 to 11m alongside. A new container quay, 1,600m long, provides nine berths, with depths of 8 to 10.5m alongside.

Ijora Wharf, a bulk berth, is 122m long and has a depth of 5.8m alongside. There are also six tanker berths, with depths of 7.5 to 11m alongside.

There are facilities for general cargo, passenger, ro-ro, container, tanker, and bulk vessels. Vessels of up to 30,000 dwt, 259m in length, and 10.1m draft have been accommodated.

Atlas Cove Oil Terminal is situated at the W side of the channel about 1 mile within the harbor entrance. It can handle tankers up to 259m in length and 11.1m draft. It is reported (2005) that the above oil terminal is no longer used and a new L-shaped jetty, which can accommodate tankers up to 12m draft, has been constructed close N of it.

The complex at Tin Kan Island has 2,300m of main quayage, which provides fourteen berths. These berths are 120 to 200m long and have depths of 9 to 10m alongside. There are facilities for general cargo, ro-ro, container, and bulk vessels.

In addition, the port provides several mooring-buoy berths, with depths up to 8m.

An SPM is moored about 2.5 miles SSW of Lagos Light. A restricted area, with a radius of 1,200m, surrounds the SPM and only vessels using this offshore berth may enter. A submarine pipeline extends NNE from the SPM to the shore. It is reported (2000) that vessels up to 50,000 dwt and 16.9m draft can be handled.

It is reported (2005) that an Oil Storage Tanker (Tuma) is moored about 5 miles SSW of Lagos Light and ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum take place in its vicinity. Other vessels should stay well clear of this area. Vessels intending to carry out a transfer are instructed to anchor within 1 mile of the Oil Storage Tanker and await the lightering vessel. However, in order to reduce the risk of damage, it is reported that inbound vessels prefer to moor the lightering vessel alongside while underway at a slow speed, anchoring only when the mooring operation is completed.

Aspect.—The coastline in the vicinity of the harbor is low. The entrance lies between the E mole, which extends 1.3 miles SSW fromLagos Harbor—NECOM Building the SW extremity of Victoria Island, and the W mole, which extends 0.4 mile SE from the mainland shore.

Lagos Light is shown from a prominent tower standing 0.9 mile NW of the root of the W mole. A racon is situated at this light. It was reported (1988) that the light tower is often obscured by trees.

It is reported (2005) that Lagos Light is unlit and the racon is inoperative.

An outer fairway lighted buoy is moored about 1.5 miles SSE of the head of the W mole. The entrance fairway is indicated by a lighted range, which may best be seen on the chart, and is marked by buoys. It is reported (2005) that the outer fairway buoy is unlit.

A conspicuous television mast, 71m high, stands 0.3 mile N of the root of the E mole, with a prominent hotel situated 0.4 mile N of it. A prominent radio mast stands 1.4 miles NNW of the head of the W mole.

A conspicuous telecommunications building (NECOM), 160m high, is situated about 3 miles N of the harbor entrance.

Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 1,016 grt and is only available from 0700 to 1800. Pilots can be contacted by VHF and generally board about 2.5 miles S of the head of the W mole.

Vessels should send an ETA and a request for pilotage via their agent 7 days, 4 days, 2 days, and 24 hours prior to arrival. They should provide the following information:

1. Vessel’s name.
2. Call sign.
3. Agent’s name.
4. Length.
5. Tonnage, loaded.
6. Draft.
7. Type of cargo.
8. Last port of call.
9. Ship Entry Notice (SEN) number and date of issue.

Vessels should establish contact with the port authorities on VHF channel 16 when within VHF range.

Upon anchoring, vessels should report the following information to the Harbormaster (call sign: East Mole Signal Station):

1. Ship Entry Notice (SEN) number and date of issue.
2. Agent’s name.
3. Cargo details.

Regulations.—Prior to arrival in Nigerian waters, agents must register vessels with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in order to obtain a Ship Entry Notice (SEN).

Special regulations, in regard to communications, apply to vessels entering any of the creeks, rivers, or channels in Nigerian waters.

For further information concerning SEN and communication regulations, see Pub. 160, Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) South Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean.

The Nigerian Ports Authority at Lagos may be contacted by e-mail, as follows: inquiries@aboutnpa.com

Traffic restrictions within the port are, as follows:

1. Vessels are prohibited from passing each other in the main channel, between Lighted Buoy No. 7, moored 0.5 mile SE of the head of the W mole, and the head of the training mole, situated 0.8 mile NNW.
2. When two vessels are approaching each other in Apapa Channel, off the Apapa complex, from opposite directions, the vessel stemming the tide shall wait at a safe position until the other vessel has passed, even though the former vessel had been accorded the right of way by the port signal station.
3. Vessels must reduce speed in the vicinity of the floating dock located close N of the Apapa complex.

Anchorage.—Vessels remaining outside the harbor should anchor in a depth of 18m, good holding ground, about 2.5 miles S of Lagos Light, but clear of the wrecks. A heavy swell occurs at this roadstead, particularly in July, August, and September. Vessels may also obtain anchorage in a depth of 13m about 1.5 miles S of the Lagos Light.

It was reported (1981-2004) that vessels were anchoring or drifting up to 20 miles offshore in order to prevent being boarded by pirates.

Caution.—Several wrecks, some dangerous, lie in the approaches to the port and may best be seen on the chart.

Buoys, which mark the harbor channels, may be frequently shifted to conform with changes in the depths. It was reported (1990) that several buoys were unreliable or missing.

It was reported (1990) that depths in the entrance fairway and within the harbor may be found to be as much as 2m less than charted.

It was reported (1993) that less water than charted lies in the vicinity of the head of the E mole.

Vessels are cautioned that security in the vicinity of this port is a serious problem. In recent years (1986-2005), several attacks by pirates and thieves have been reported. These attacks have generally taken place at the outer anchorages, but some have occurred while berthed alongside. It is reported (2005) that vessels are advised, once their pilot booking has been confirmed, to stay at least 12 miles seaward of the roadstead at night, reporting back only during daylight.

An area, within which anchoring is prohibited, lies in the vicinity of the harbor entrance. It extends up to about 3 miles seaward and may best be seen on the chart.

Due to the existence of submarine cables, an area, within which anchoring is prohibited, fronts the coast at the E side of the harbor entrance. It extends up to 15 miles seaward and may best be seen on the chart.

An explosives dumping area, the limits of which may best be seen on the chart, lies centered 32 miles S of the harbor entrance.

Location