Swiss shipping giant MSC Group has secured a 45-year concession to develop a major new container terminal at Snake Island Port, deepening its long-term investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The agreement, signed with maritime and logistics firm Nigerdock, forms part of more than $1 billion MSC plans to invest in the country’s ports and logistics infrastructure. Construction will be carried out by ITB Nigeria alongside Belgium’s DEME Group under an engineering, procurement and construction contract.
Plans for the new terminal include a 910-metre quay designed to accommodate ship-to-shore cranes and mobile harbour cranes, allowing it to handle both deep-sea container ships and barge traffic. Initial dredging will reach 16.5 metres, matching the depth of the existing navigation channel.
The facility will also feature a 30-hectare container yard equipped for hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes, with additional land reserved for future expansion. The design allows dredging to be deepened to 18 metres if needed, enabling the port to receive ever-larger container vessels as global shipping fleets grow in size.
MSC said the project reflects strong confidence in Nigeria’s role as an emerging West African shipping hub and will boost cargo capacity while creating jobs and strengthening the country’s trade infrastructure.
President of MSC Group, Diego Aponte, said the proposed container terminal would improve efficiency, expand opportunities and help position Snake Island Port as a key global shipping centre while delivering significant economic benefits for Nigeria.