In a major boost to Nigeria’s maritime and intra-African trade ambitions, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has berthed MV Ocean Dragon, the first wholly Nigerian-owned container vessel. Owned by Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited and with a capacity of 349 TEUs, the vessel arrived at 5:05 a.m. on July 2nd, 2025. It is set to operate across several West African countries, offering a faster, safer alternative to road cargo transport and helping maximise benefits from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, described the vessel’s arrival as a major milestone in unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s blue economy. He credited the development to policy direction from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and highlighted ongoing investment in eco-friendly port infrastructure. Vice President of Clarion Shipping, Bernadine Eloka, added that the vessel will drastically improve logistics, stating it can move up to 349 containers in just two days between ports, addressing costly road-based delays.
Clarion’s MD, Mustafa Mohammed, said the company was positioning itself to compete with global shipping giants by prioritising Nigerian exporters and importers. With 1,300 containers already booked, he noted that the vessel would reduce losses for farmers and manufacturers while encouraging domestic investment through Nigeria’s cabotage regime. The berthing of MV Ocean Dragon signals a new era in local shipping and regional trade efficiency.
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