Swiss shipping giant MSC Group has secured a 45-year concession to develop a new container terminal at Snake Island Port in Lagos, marking a major expansion of its logistics footprint in West Africa.
The agreement was signed with Nigerian maritime and logistics company Nigerdock, while the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract has been awarded to ITB Nigeria and DEME Group.
The terminal project forms part of more than $1 billion in investments by MSC in Nigeria’s ports and logistics sector, aimed at strengthening the country’s role in regional maritime trade.
Plans for the facility include a 910-meter quay designed to accommodate ship-to-shore cranes and mobile harbour cranes, enabling operations for both deep-sea container vessels and barge traffic.
The initial dredging depth will reach 16.5 meters, matching the depth of the current navigation channel. The design also allows for future dredging to 18 meters, enabling the terminal to handle larger container ships as vessel sizes continue to grow.
The project will also feature a 30-hectare container yard equipped with hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes, with additional land reserved for future expansion.
According to MSC, the development reflects confidence in Nigeria’s growing role as a shipping hub in West Africa and is expected to increase cargo handling capacity while supporting trade infrastructure and job creation.
MSC Group President Diego Aponte said the terminal would “open up opportunities, enhance efficiency, and elevate Snake Island Port as a major global shipping center,” adding that the company’s long-term investments in Nigeria aim to strengthen economic resilience and generate local employment.
