Onne port shipping is the main sea route into eastern Nigeria and the base of the country's oil and gas supply chain. Onne Port Complex sits on the Bonny River estuary in Rivers State, about 25 km from Port Harcourt, inside the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. This guide covers its two terminal areas, berths and drafts, the free zone rules, cargo types and how we ship your cargo to Onne from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Onne, and from Onne to Dubai with UAE clearance on arrival.
Onne port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), landlord port |
| Free zone regulator | Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) |
| UN/LOCODE | NGONN |
| Location | Bonny River estuary along Ogu Creek, Eleme, Rivers State; about 25 km from Port Harcourt |
| Port area | 2,538 hectares |
| Terminal areas | Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) |
| Terminal operators | Intels, Brawal, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT, APM Terminals), Onne Multipurpose Terminal (ICTSI) |
| Berth drafts (NPA) | 7.5 m to 10 m at FLT; 10 m to 12 m at FOT |
| Container terminal | WACT: 570 m berth, 11.3 m depth, ships up to 4,500 TEU, 361,000 TEU capacity |
| Heavy lift quay | OMT: 1,000 m quay, four 125 t mobile harbour cranes |
| Largest crane listed by NPA | Liebherr 600 mobile harbour crane, 208 t |
| Free zone companies | Over 200 licensed, from 45 nationalities |
| Nearest airport | Port Harcourt International, about 44 km |
| Customs | Nigeria Customs Service; free zone goods pay duty only when they enter Nigeria |
| Onne to Dubai | Exporter files the NXP form and the customs export declaration; UAE entry at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah with 5% duty on CIF for most goods and 5% import VAT |
Where is Onne port and why does it matter?
Onne lies on the Bonny River estuary along Ogu Creek, in Eleme local government area of Rivers State. It is about 25 km from Port Harcourt and about 44 km from Port Harcourt International Airport. Ships reach it from the Atlantic up the Bonny River, past the oil and gas terminals at Bonny.
NPA describes Onne as the first Nigerian port run on the landlord model, where the authority owns the land and private operators run the terminals. It also says Onne handles over 65% of the export cargo through Nigerian seaports, largely because of the oil and gas sector. The port covers about 2,538 hectares, with land still available for development.
For a shipper, Onne matters for two reasons. First, it is the natural entry point for cargo going to Port Harcourt, Aba, Owerri, Uyo and the wider Niger Delta, which saves a long truck leg from Lagos. Second, it is where most equipment for Nigeria's oil and gas industry lands, stores and gets serviced.
Which terminals does Onne port have?
Onne has two terminal areas, the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) for ocean-going ships and the Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) for smaller ships and lighters. NPA lists four private operators across them.
| Terminal operator | Area and berths | Main business |
|---|---|---|
| Intels Nigeria | FOT berths 1 to 6; FLT berths 2 to 4 | Oil and gas logistics, general cargo |
| Brawal Shipping | FLT berth 1 | Smaller ships, general cargo, oil service base |
| West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) | FOT berths 7 to 8 | Containers |
| Onne Multipurpose Terminal (ICTSI) | FOT berths 9 to 11 | Containers, breakbulk, project and heavy lift, Ro-Ro, oil and gas cargo |
Your carrier's service decides the terminal. Container lines usually call WACT or OMT. Pipes, rigs, modules and other oil and gas cargo often go over the Intels berths. Check the terminal on the arrival notice, because free time, storage and the customs exam booking all follow it.
Berths and drafts at Onne, by terminal area
NPA publishes the quay length and draught of each berth. These are the official figures; operators may publish slightly different numbers for their own berths.
| Area | Berth | Quay length | Draught | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLT | 1 | 340 m | 7.5 m | Brawal |
| FLT | 2 | 930 m | 8.5 m | Intels |
| FLT | 3 and 4 | 376 m each | 10.0 m | Intels |
| FOT | 1 to 3 | 250 m each | 10.0 m | Intels |
| FOT | 4 and 5 | 250 m each | 12 m | Intels |
| FOT | 6 | 320 m | 12 m | Intels |
| FOT | 7 and 8 | 285 m each | 12 m | WACT |
| FOT | 9 to 11 | 250 m each | 12 m | OMT (ICTSI) |
A decision rule: deep-draft container and breakbulk ships use FOT, where berths reach 12 m. FLT berths, at 7.5 m to 10 m, suit smaller ships, supply vessels and barges. Published channel depths for the Bonny River approach differ between directories, so the carrier or ship agent confirms the arrival draft for each call.
WACT, the container terminal run by APM Terminals
WACT is 100% owned by APM Terminals and was the first greenfield terminal in Nigeria. Its concession was signed in 2005 and it started work in 2007. The terminal lists a 570 m berth with 11.3 m maximum depth, ships of up to 4,500 TEU and fixed berthing windows.
| Item | What WACT lists |
|---|---|
| Yard | 25 hectares, 361,000 TEU capacity |
| Reefer plugs | 600 |
| Equipment | 5 mobile harbour cranes, 20 RTGs, 7 reach stackers, 6 empty handlers, 37 terminal trucks |
| Gate | Open 24/7, truck appointment system, four-lane in-gate |
| Customs exam | Booked online, cut-off 6:00 pm daily; exam lead time under 24 hours |
| Shipping lines listed | Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, OOCL, ONE, ZIM |
| Investment | USD 115 million facility upgrade, including paved yards |
OMT, the heavy lift and multipurpose terminal
Onne Multipurpose Terminal is part of ICTSI and sits at the Federal Ocean Terminal. It lists a 1,000 m heavy lift quay, 45 hectares of yard and four Gottwald mobile harbour cranes of 125 t each. It handles containers, breakbulk, project and heavy lift cargo, Ro-Ro, and oil and gas, bulk and general cargo ships. Its current landside tariff took effect on 1 January 2026.
NPA also lists one of the largest harbour mobile cranes in Africa at Onne, a Liebherr 600 with 208 t capacity. A terminal operator at Onne owns twin Grove cranes that can lift a single 300 t piece together. For heavy pieces, that lift capacity at the berth is a real reason to choose Onne over other Nigerian ports.
The Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone: what it means for your cargo
Most of Onne port lies inside the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, run by OGFZA. Over 200 companies from 45 nationalities hold licences there, including eight principal oil companies and more than 220 service companies at the two terminals. The FOT area alone covers 1,980,000 m2, with 551,286 m2 of industrial land and 68,009 m2 of warehouses.
| Rule | What OGFZA lists |
|---|---|
| Goods into the zone | No customs duty |
| Goods from the zone to other countries | No customs duty |
| Goods from a Nigerian port to the zone in transit | No customs duty |
| Goods from the zone into Nigeria | Duty paid at that point; full duty on trade goods with no value added |
| Form M, import or export licences | Not required for imports into the zone |
| Pre-shipment inspection | Waived |
| Storage time limit | None |
| Release | Fast-track clearance, pre-release possible against a bank bond |
The key point: these rules apply to a licensed free zone enterprise. If your consignee is a licensed company in the zone, the cargo can land, store and be used there without Nigerian import duty. If your consignee is outside the zone, normal Nigerian import rules apply. Free zone status does not by itself give a customs exemption or the right to operate, so the consignee confirms its licence before you ship.
For the SONCAP standards programme, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria runs a separate scheme for special economic zones (SEZCAP). Your consignee's clearing agent tells you which one applies.
What cargo moves through Onne port?
NPA calls Onne a multipurpose cargo port. Besides oil and gas work, it handles general cargo, dry and wet bulk, oil well equipment and containers. NPA also lists the private jetties and tank farms inside the port.
| Cargo | Where it is handled | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General containers | WACT or OMT | Terminal on the booking, Form M or free zone status, free time |
| Oil well equipment, pipes, valves | Intels berths, OMT, free zone yards | Consignee's free zone licence, packing, preservation |
| Heavy lift and project cargo | OMT heavy lift quay, FOT berths | Lift plan, crane capacity, road permits in Rivers State |
| Bulk cement | Dangote, Atlas and Adamac jetties at FOT | Receiver's own jetty slot |
| Fertilizer | Notore jetty at FOT | Receiver's own jetty slot |
| Fuels and lubricants | Tank farms at FOT and FLT | Tank owner's approval, product specs |
| LNG and butane | Two LNG jetties at FOT | Specialist vessels only |
| Supply and repair work | Shipyards and service jetties at FOT | Not relevant for most cargo owners |
Shipping from Dubai to Onne: containers, breakbulk and DG
Most UAE cargo for Onne moves in containers from Jebel Ali Port. Cogoport lists Jebel Ali among the origins with container services into Onne. Some services call Onne direct, others transship at a hub on the way.
[AMIR-FACT: Our real port-to-port transit Jebel Ali to Onne (days), direct or via which hub, and the carriers we actually book to Onne]
FCL is the default for oil and gas equipment and for most commercial cargo, because the box stays sealed to the terminal or to the free zone yard. LCL to Onne is possible but usually goes through a hub and costs time. Our guide to FCL vs LCL shows where the crossover sits, and our sea freight service covers booking and trucking in the UAE.
For oversized pieces, Onne is often the Nigerian port to choose. Its 1,000 m heavy lift quay, 125 t cranes and 208 t harbour crane mean pieces that need a flat rack or a breakbulk call can be landed close to the oil fields. Our break bulk and project cargo service plans the UAE side, and our heavy lift shipping guide explains lift plans and lashing.
For dangerous goods, such as chemicals for drilling and well service, carrier acceptance comes first. You need the UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a Safety Data Sheet, a signed DG declaration, UN packaging, labels and placards. Then the terminal must accept the class. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the papers before you commit to a sailing.
Customs at Onne port: a short summary
Outside the free zone, Onne follows the same Nigerian customs process as Lagos. Our Lagos guide covers it in full. Here is the short version.
| Step | Who does it | What to watch at Onne |
|---|---|---|
| Form M through the Single Window | Nigerian importer and its bank | Not needed for imports into the free zone |
| SONCAP certificate | Exporter, through an accredited firm | Issued before shipping for regulated products; free zone has its own scheme |
| Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) | Importer's clearing agent | Ready before the ship arrives |
| Duty payment | Importer | In naira; for free zone goods, only when they enter Nigeria |
| Physical exam and release | Customs and terminal | At WACT, booked online by 6:00 pm |
Nigeria inspects goods on arrival rather than before shipment, and imported goods must be insured with a Nigerian insurer. Documents you send from the UAE: commercial invoice and packing list that match, the bill of lading, a certificate of origin where needed, the SONCAP certificate where required, and ISPM 15 marked wood packaging.
How to ship from Dubai to Onne port: step by step
- Confirm the consignee. Is it a licensed free zone company or an importer outside the zone? That decides Form M, SONCAP route and duty.
- Get a quote. We compare carrier services from Jebel Ali to Onne and check whether each calls WACT or OMT, direct or by transshipment.
- Agree the Incoterm and who pays the Onne terminal and trucking costs. Our article on Incoterms 2020 for sea freight helps here.
- Book space and equipment: dry, open top, flat rack or breakbulk.
- Arrange the SONCAP certificate if the product needs one.
- Pack, mark and label the cargo; ISPM 15 wood; DG labels where needed.
- We arrange UAE trucking, export customs and gate-in at Jebel Ali.
- Send the invoice, packing list and draft bill of lading to the clearing agent before the vessel sails.
- The clearing agent handles PAAR, duty and the exam at the Onne terminal.
- The consignee moves the cargo to its free zone yard or by road to its site.
How to ship from Onne port to Dubai
Cargo also moves the other way: equipment going back after a project, tools sent for repair, and goods from companies in the free zone. We handle shipping from Onne to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Nigerian export papers stay with the shipper or its Nigerian clearing agent.
The Nigeria export side
- Form NXP. The Nigeria Customs Service lists an NXP form approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria as the first requirement for export clearance, so the exporter starts it with its bank early.
- Export declaration. Filed in the Nigeria Customs Service Unified Customs Management System (B'Odogwu), with the packing list and commercial invoice. Customs publishes a standard timeline of 2 working days for export clearance.
- Product certificates. A product quality certificate for manufactured goods, and a NAFDAC export certificate for food and drugs.
- Free zone cargo. OGFZA lists no customs duty on goods sent from the zone to other countries, so a licensed zone company's exports leave without Nigerian duty.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the import declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and a permit from the relevant authority for restricted goods. The carrier releases the delivery order against the bill of lading. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, and a VAT-registered importer accounts for it through the reverse charge on its VAT return. Equipment returning after repair or a project may be treated differently, so we check the papers with you before it sails.
- Send us the shipper's details, the cargo, the HS code, dimensions for any heavy piece and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from WACT, OMT or the FOT berths and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker delivers the cargo or the loaded container to the terminal.
- The shipper or its clearing agent completes the NXP and the export declaration.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT, and collect the delivery order from the carrier.
- We truck the cargo to your site and return any empty container inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Onne to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, storage and demurrage at Onne
Each carrier sets its own free time at Onne, and each terminal has its own storage tariff. We do not quote one figure because they differ by line and terminal. Ask for both at the quote stage. Onne Multipurpose Terminal, for example, publishes its own landside tariff, current from 1 January 2026.
Inside the free zone, OGFZA lists no time limit on cargo storage, but that applies to cargo in a licensed company's yard, not to a container sitting in a terminal stack. Our article on demurrage and detention explains how the charges are worked out.
Onne or Lagos: which port fits your cargo?
| Question | Onne | Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can, Lekki) |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the consignee? | Rivers State, the Niger Delta, the south-east | Lagos and the south-west |
| Oil and gas equipment | Free zone, oil service base, heavy lift quay | Possible, without the Onne free zone |
| Container ships | Up to 4,500 TEU at WACT | Lekki deep sea port is the deep-water option |
If your buyer is in the east, a box landed in Lagos faces a long road leg. Ask us to price both ports.
Checklist before you ship to Onne port
- Consignee's status confirmed: free zone licence or Form M in place.
- SONCAP certificate arranged if the product needs one.
- Terminal on the booking known: WACT, OMT or Intels.
- Free time and terminal storage terms known.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading match on weight, packages and description.
- Wood packaging ISPM 15 marked.
- DG documents, labels and carrier acceptance in place.
- For heavy pieces: drawings, weights, lifting points and crane capacity at the berth agreed.
- Insurance with a Nigerian insurer arranged by the importer where required.
Common mistakes when shipping to Onne
- Assuming every cargo landing at Onne is duty free. Only goods for a licensed free zone company are.
- Shipping to Lagos by habit when the site is in Rivers State, then trucking across the country.
- Booking a deep-draft breakbulk ship to an FLT berth with 7.5 m to 10 m draught.
- Missing the SONCAP certificate for a regulated product.
- Sending invoices that do not match the packing list or the bill of lading.
- Not checking which terminal the carrier uses before planning trucks.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Onne port?
Onne Port Complex is on the Bonny River estuary along Ogu Creek, in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria. It is about 25 km from Port Harcourt and about 44 km from Port Harcourt International Airport.
Who operates the terminals at Onne?
NPA lists four operators: Intels Nigeria, Brawal Shipping, West Africa Container Terminal (APM Terminals) and Onne Multipurpose Terminal (ICTSI). NPA is the landlord and port authority.
What is the difference between FOT and FLT at Onne?
The Federal Ocean Terminal takes ocean-going ships, with berth draughts of 10 m to 12 m. The Federal Lighter Terminal takes smaller ships, supply vessels and lighters, with draughts of 7.5 m to 10 m.
Is cargo landed at Onne duty free?
Only cargo for a licensed company in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. Goods into the zone pay no customs duty, and duty is paid only when they move into Nigeria. Cargo for importers outside the zone pays normal Nigerian duties.
Can large container ships call at Onne?
WACT handles ships of up to 4,500 TEU at its 570 m berth with 11.3 m maximum depth. For larger ships, Lekki deep sea port in Lagos is the deep-water option.
Can Onne handle heavy lift cargo?
Yes. OMT has a 1,000 m heavy lift quay with four 125 t mobile harbour cranes, and NPA lists a 208 t Liebherr harbour crane and twin cranes able to lift a 300 t piece.
What is the port code for Onne?
The UN/LOCODE is NGONN. Use it on bookings so the cargo is not routed to Port Harcourt's older river port.
Do I need a Form M when shipping from Dubai to Onne?
Not for goods imported into the free zone by a licensed company. Importers outside the zone open a Form M through the Single Window before shipping, as in any Nigerian port.
Can you handle shipping from Onne to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space from Onne, the shipper or its clearing agent handles the NXP form and the export declaration, and we clear the cargo through UAE customs and deliver it. Most goods pay 5% duty on the CIF value plus 5% import VAT.
Get a quote for Onne port shipping
Send us your cargo details, the consignee's status and its site, and we will come back with a routing and a price to Onne. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a heavy lift, project or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Nigerian Ports Authority: Onne Port Complex (location, landlord model, area, cargo, cranes)
- Nigerian Ports Authority: Onne berth characteristics (quay lengths, draughts, operators)
- Nigerian Ports Authority: Onne terminal operators and berth allocation
- Nigerian Ports Authority: Onne jetties, tank farms and other leases
- OGFZA: Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone (areas, jetties, licensed companies)
- OGFZA: Free zone incentives (duty, Form M, storage, release)
- APM Terminals: WACT Onne, our terminal
- Onne Multipurpose Terminal (ICTSI): About us
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria: SONCAP and SEZCAP
- US International Trade Administration: Nigeria import requirements (destination inspection, PAAR, Single Window)
- US International Trade Administration: Nigeria customs regulations (naira duty, local insurance)
- West Africa Charter: Onne port guide (free zone does not confer automatic exemption)
- Wikipedia: Onne (Eleme location)
- Fluent Cargo: Onne NGONN (airport distance)
- Cogoport: Onne NGONN (inbound origins including Jebel Ali)
- SGK Global: Onne as the sea entry for Port Harcourt (distance)
- Nigeria Customs Service: Service timelines and requirements (export clearance: NXP, export declaration, certificates, 2 working days)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% import VAT, reverse charge)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026