About Maersk in Nigeria

Maersk operates in Nigeria through its subsidiary Maersk Nigeria Limited.

It provides shipping, logistics, supply-chain, and related services (ocean freight, inland transport, customs, etc.) for standard, refrigerated, and oversized cargo.

The company has offices in Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

Recent Developments & Strategy

Relocation of Lagos office

Maersk announced it would move its Lagos office from Apapa to Victoria Island.

The new office is at 1226 Bishop Oluwole, Victoria Island, Lagos.

An in-person customer service counter will remain at Apapa (APM Terminals) to support clients.

$600 million seaport investment

Maersk committed to investing about $600 million in upgrading Nigeria’s port infrastructure.

The investment will focus on modernizing and automating port facilities, improving vessel handling capacity, and reducing trade bottlenecks.

Operational Cost Imports (OCI) surcharge

Maersk introduced an OCI surcharge for containers moving from Far East Asia to West Africa, including Nigeria.

For example, the surcharge is around USD 70 per 20-ft dry container and USD 90 per 40-ft container headed to Nigeria.

Local Operations & Challenges

As the largest shipping line in Nigeria, Maersk connects local businesses to international trade routes.

It maintains digital booking systems, container tracking, and support for import/export paperwork, customs, and inland transport.

Challenges include infrastructure constraints such as congestion, port depth, and handling capacity, which have partly motivated the new investments.

Rising supply chain costs also affect operations, reflected in surcharges like the OCI.

Significance & Impact

The $600 million investment signals confidence in Nigeria’s maritime future and its importance as a trade hub in West Africa.

Port modernization could reduce delays, lower costs for importers/exporters, and attract more international trade.

Relocating the Lagos office shows Maersk’s intent to improve accessibility and customer service locally.