Onitsha Port Comes Alive: First Barge Docks in 2025, Traders Eye Cheaper Transport

 

The Onitsha Port came alive recently when it received the first barge in the 2025 season, sparking hope among Igbo traders in the region Chris Mbonu, general manager of Universal Elysium Limited, the port's concessionaire, called the barge’s berthing a significant milestone Beyond logistics, the ripple effect of a fully operational Onitsha Port could boost agriculture, tourism, and exports

The Onitsha River Port in Anambra State roared back to life as it received its first barge of the 2025 season, MV ZUPITOR/MV RB ALASKA, sparking hope for a new dawn in inland waterway transport.

The arrival stirred optimism among Igbo traders and logistics operators, many of whom have long hoped for the revival of inland waterways as a more cost-effective and efficient trade route. 

Seasonal operations still a major setback Mr. Chris Mbonu, General Manager of Universal Elysium Limited, the port's concessionaire, called the barge’s berthing a “milestone” and a reminder of what’s still missing—consistent infrastructure support, especially dredging of the River Niger.

While the port is technically functional, its operations remain highly seasonal, dependent on the water levels of the River Niger. Peak activity only occurs during the rainy season when rising waters make the river navigable for barges and ferries. 

“The port is ready to work 365 days a year,” Mbonu said, “but without consistent dredging, we’re reduced to a rainy-season operation.” He likened the current scenario to owning a well-built car without fuel—it may be roadworthy, but without fuel, it simply won’t run. This limitation prevents the Onitsha Port from becoming the inland logistics hub it is capable of being. 

Call for urgent government intervention Mbonu called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and private stakeholders to prioritise regular dredging and channel maintenance on the River Niger. This, he stressed, is the only way to unlock year-round navigability and position the port as a major trade artery. 

He argued that improved waterway access would reduce logistics costs, ease road congestion, shorten delivery times, and boost investor confidence in inland freight systems. Massive economic potential lies untapped Beyond logistics, the ripple effect of a fully operational Onitsha Port could boost agriculture, tourism, and exports. 

Mbonu noted that farmers and aggregators could move produce more quickly, and exporters could ship raw materials directly from inland terminals to seaports. With the right government backing, the port could support a multimodal logistics revolution, connecting rail, road, and river transport in a seamless ecosystem. 

Will Onitsha port launch be turning point? With the first barge dock, the infrastructure appears ready and the demand visible. What would remain is political will and strategic investment to turn the tide. If consistently dredged and maintained, Onitsha port could evolve into a year-round economic powerhouse, transforming trade in the South-East and across Nigeria.