UN/LOCODE: NGONN📍 Nigeria
Port of Onne (UN/LOCODE NGONN)
❖ Coordinates: 4.7200°N, 7.1500°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Lagos
❖ UN/LOCODE: NGONN
## About the Port
The **Port of Onne** (UN/LOCODE: NGONN) is a specialist deep‑water hub located on the Bonny River in Rivers State, southern Nigeria (4.72° N, 7.15° E). Operated by **Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)**, Onne functions primarily as an oil‑field service port, providing offshore support to the Niger Delta’s prolific hydrocarbon production complex. Its geographic position within the **Africa/Lagos** time zone grants it direct access to the Gulf of Guinea’s main shipping lanes, making it a pivotal gateway for both domestic and international maritime traffic.
Key attributes:
- **Port type:** Mixed cargo (oil‑field services, bulk, container, and break‑bulk)
- **Draft:** 13 m at the quay, 14 m at offshore anchorage, suitable for vessels up to VLCC size for lightering operations.
- **Berthing capacity:** Six dedicated berths for offshore supply vessels (OSVs), two general cargo berths, and a newly commissioned deep‑draft container terminal (2022).
- **Customs status:** Designated **Free Trade Zone (FTZ)**, allowing tax‑exempt storage and transshipment of petro‑chemical products.
These characteristics position Onne as Nigeria’s most technically advanced port for **oil‑field logistics**, while also supporting growing non‑hydrocarbon trade.
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## History
### Early Development (1970s–1980s)
The port traces its origin to the early 1970s when **Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)** commissioned a modest anchorage to support the newly discovered **Bonny‑Moor** oil fields. Initial facilities consisted of a single jetty and rudimentary refuelling stations, primarily serving the **offshore supply vessel (OSV)** fleet.
### Expansion under the Nigerian Government (1990s)
In 1992, the federal government, through the **Nigerian Ports Authority**, invested in a phased expansion to diversify the port’s cargo profile. A **dry bulk terminal** and a **container handling yard** were added, targeting agricultural exports such as cocoa, rubber, and palm oil. This era also saw the introduction of **customs modernization** aligned with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) standards.
### Modernization and FTZ Designation (2000s–Present)
The early 2000s marked a strategic pivot toward offshore services. In 2005, Onne was officially **designated a Free Trade Zone**, incentivising multinational oil service firms to locate their regional hubs there. Subsequent capital infusion enabled the construction of the **Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ)**, featuring specialized warehouses, hazardous‑material handling areas, and a 2,500‑meter quay capable of simultaneous servicing of multiple **FPSOs** (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units).
In 2022, a **deep‑draft container terminal** was commissioned, expanding the port’s capability to handle 1 million TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent units) per annum—an effort that aligns with Nigeria’s **Vision 20:2020** cargo diversification goals.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing & Water Depth
| Facility | Number of Berths | Draft (m) | Primary Users |
|----------|-------------------|-----------|---------------|
| Offshore Supply Jetty | 6 | 13–14 | OSVs, FPSOs, LPG carriers |
| General Cargo Quay | 2 | 10 | Break‑bulk, project cargo |
| Container Terminal | 3 | 12 | Container ships (up to 30,000 TEU) |
| Bulk Terminal | 1 | 10 | Grain, cement, minerals |
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **20** container gantry cranes (30‑ton capacity) with automated straddle‑carrier systems.
- **12** mobile cranes (10–45 ton) for project cargo and heavy lifts.
- **4** tandem rail‑mounted gantry cranes dedicated to bulk commodities.
- **2** high‑capacity LPG/LNG offloading stations equipped with cryogenic pumps and vapor recovery units.
### Storage & Logistics
- **30 ha** of covered warehousing, including **hazardous‑materials (HAZMAT)** certified yards.
- **10 ha** of open‑air laydown zones for steel rods, pipe sections, and cement bags.
- **5 ha** of refrigerated storage for perishables, linked to a **cold‑chain logistics hub** serving the export of seafood and meat.
### Support Services
- **Ship repair & maintenance** facilities: 2 dry docks (150 m length) and a floating ship repair yard.
- **Marine pilotage** and **tugboat fleet** (5 tugs, 4,000 HP each) ensuring safe navigation through the Bonny River’s tidal constraints.
- **Customs and security**: Fully integrated electronic data interchange (EDI) with NPA’s Customs Management System and a dedicated **Port Security Unit (PSU)** compliant with the IMO’s ISPS Code.
The port’s **digital infrastructure** incorporates a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) platform, real‑time quay allocation software, and an open API for third‑party logistics providers—enhancing transparency and turnaround efficiency.
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## Economic Importance
### Oil & Gas Sector
Onne remains the linchpin of Nigeria’s offshore production chain. The **OGFTZ** hosts more than **150** oil‑field service companies, including Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes. Annually, the port facilitates the **offloading of ~110 million barrels** of crude from FPSOs, and the **export of ~6 million tonnes** of refined petroleum products. The ancillary services—rig mooring, drilling mud handling, and crew changes—generate an estimated **US$1.8 billion** in direct revenues each year.
### Diversification Impact
The expanded container terminal has accelerated non‑hydrocarbon trade. In 2023, **containerized cargo throughput** reached **0.94 million TEU**, a 22 % increase over the previous year, driven by imports of machinery, textiles, and consumer electronics. The bulk terminal recorded **2.3 million tonnes** of agricultural exports (cocoa, palm kernel, rubber) and imports (cement, gypsum).
### Employment & Regional Development
Onne directly employs **≈ 7,500** port workers, and indirectly sustains another **≈ 25,000** jobs across logistics, catering, and ancillary manufacturing. The port’s FTZ status has attracted **foreign direct investment (FDI)** exceeding **US$450 million** since 2005, stimulating infrastructure upgrades in the surrounding **Bonny Island** and **Nembe** municipalities.
### Fiscal Contributions
Through port fees, customs duties, and levies on oil‑service firms, the Nigerian government realizes **≈ US$250 million** in annual fiscal receipts from Onne. These revenues underwrite national development projects and fund coastal erosion mitigation programs—critical for the low‑lying Niger Delta.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Shipping Lanes
- **West Africa Loop:** Onne ↔ Lagos ↔ Tema (Ghana) ↔ Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) – handling intra‑regional container and bulk cargo.
- **Trans‑Atlantic Axis:** Onne ↔ Rotterdam ↔ Antwerp ↔ Houston – for crude oil, refined products, and specialty chemicals.
- **Indian Ocean Corridor:** Onne ↔ Dubai (Jebel Ali) ↔ Singapore – supporting petrochemical feedstock and LNG trades.
These routes are serviced by **weekly liner services** and a robust **charter market** for OSVs, ensuring flexibility for the oil sector’s variable demand cycles.
### Major Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (2023) | Key Origin/Destination |
|------------|----------------------|------------------------|
| Crude Oil (offloaded for lightering) | 110 M barrels | Export to Europe, Asia; import from Niger Delta fields |
| Refined Petroleum Products (diesel, jet fuel) | 6 M tonnes | Export to West Africa; import of specialty fuels |
| LPG/LNG | 2.1 M tonnes | Export to West Africa; import from Qatar |
| Dry Bulk (cement, gypsum) | 2.3 M tonnes | Imports from Europe/China |
| Agricultural (cocoa, palm kernel) | 0.9 M tonnes | Exports to EU & US markets |
| Containers (general cargo) | 0.94 M TEU | Imports of machinery, electronics; exports of textiles |
| Project Cargo (steel, pipe, modules) | 1.2 M tonnes | Imports for offshore projects, pipelines |
The **oil‑field service cargo** dominates the port’s throughput, but the recent diversification reflects a strategic shift toward a **multimodal logistics hub** capable of handling both high‑value, low‑volume containerized goods and bulk commodities.
*For further technical specifications, see the Nigerian Ports Authority’s official port profile* NPA – Onne Port↗.
*Global trade statistics and UN/LOCODE details are available through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe* UN/LOCODE NGONN↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
NGONN
Country
Nigeria
Province / Region
Rivers
Latitude
4.720000
Longitude
7.150000
Timezone
Africa/Lagos
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Onne?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Onne is NGONN.
Where is Port of Onne located?
The Port of Onne is located in Nigeria, Rivers. Its coordinates are 4.7200°N, 7.1500°E.
What time zone is Port of Onne in?
Port of Onne operates in the Africa/Lagos time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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