Stakeholders Alarmed as Abandoned Containers Clog Nigeria’s Waterways

Nigeria is currently grappling with a growing logistical and environmental crisis as an overwhelming number of empty and dilapidated shipping containers continue to block key ports and waterways. Industry stakeholders have expressed serious concerns about the implications of this mounting problem, which threatens both commercial activity and public safety in port cities and riverine areas.

Reports from local port authorities and logistics groups indicate that hundreds of thousands of containers—many of them rusty, broken, or unfit for further shipping—have been left to litter the Nigerian coastline. These containers are often dumped indiscriminately along the waterways, port access roads, and even in nearby residential zones, where they now pose environmental and infrastructural risks.

The containers in question were originally brought into the country carrying imported goods, but due to various challenges—such as high costs of returning them abroad, lack of return cargo, and limited shipping capacity—they remain stuck in Nigeria. Shipping companies often prioritize exporting new cargo, leaving the empty containers behind rather than paying to return them to their countries of origin.

According to estimates from port operators and maritime observers, Nigeria may be housing tens of thousands of such containers, especially in Lagos and Port Harcourt. The situation is compounded by poor regulation and enforcement, which allow terminals and shipping firms to continue accumulating these units without consequence.

Logistics experts warn that the continued presence of these unused containers is crippling Nigeria’s port infrastructure. Yard space is becoming increasingly limited, affecting the storage and movement of active import and export containers. This leads to delays in cargo clearance, extended vessel waiting times, and rising demurrage fees for importers. As a result, the cost of doing business in Nigeria’s ports is steadily climbing.

Beyond the economic toll, there is growing concern over the environmental impact. Many of the containers are in poor condition—rusted through, cracked open, and sometimes leaking residual materials. These pose significant threats to soil, water, and human health. Communities living close to the ports complain of increased flooding due to blocked drainage channels, the proliferation of rodents and insects, and heightened risk of accidents involving the containers.

Waterways that should be facilitating marine transportation are now choked with empty metal boxes, hindering the movement of ferries and boats. This also affects emergency services and local businesses that rely on river access. In some instances, barges have been unable to deliver goods or evacuate waste due to the presence of floating or submerged containers in key routes.

Port workers and local dwellers have described the issue as a “silent crisis.” They report that the containers often end up abandoned for years without proper tracking or responsibility. While port authorities occasionally attempt to auction or remove them, the pace of cleanup is slow and inadequate.

The federal government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has acknowledged the problem and promised to take corrective action. However, stakeholders insist that a national container management policy is urgently required. This should include clear guidelines on the return of empty containers, responsibilities for disposal, and financial penalties for non-compliance.

Shipping firms are also being urged to partner with domestic recycling and metal recovery companies to find environmentally friendly ways to dispose of unserviceable containers. By repurposing or recycling them, experts believe that some of the negative impact can be mitigated.

Meanwhile, some industry players have called for the establishment of inland container depots in more states to reduce congestion at the main seaports. These depots could serve as collection and inspection centers for empty units, thus redistributing the burden and freeing up vital port space.

Environmental groups are also pushing for stricter regulations. They argue that unless urgent action is taken, the health and safety consequences will escalate. The containers may begin to collapse under their own weight or during severe weather events, putting lives and property at risk.

As of now, no official public record exists for the total number of abandoned containers across the country. However, recent observations and whistleblower reports suggest that the number may exceed 100,000 units. Without a comprehensive clean-up strategy, Nigeria could soon face an even greater crisis—where neither goods nor people can move freely through its maritime routes.

The ongoing container congestion is a clear example of how unregulated logistics practices and infrastructural gaps can trigger far-reaching consequences. Nigeria’s ports, which should be engines of economic growth, are now under strain from years of poor planning, weak enforcement, and a lack of innovation.

Unless authorities take coordinated and decisive steps, the problem of rickety and empty containers may grow beyond manageable proportions, threatening not only trade and transportation but also environmental sustainability and public health.