In a groundbreaking move for Nigeria’s maritime sector, Clarion Shipping West Africa has unveiled MV Ocean Dragon, a fully Nigerian-owned container vessel set to revolutionize international and regional trade. At the unveiling ceremony in Apapa, Lagos, Vice President Mrs. Benardine Eloka announced generous freight incentives for Nigerian shippers:
According to her, $500 discount await every 40-foot container and $300 discount on each 20-foot container. 21 days of free storage, waived container deposits, and 24-hour inland clearance await the shipping company’s clients.
These incentives aim to ease financial pressure on importers and exporters while promoting indigenous shipping solutions.
Eloka emphasized that the launch represents more than a new vessel—it’s a strategic solution to long-standing logistics challenges. The company wants to restore confidence in Nigerian trade and offer practical alternatives to costly transshipment delays.
The MV Ocean Dragon has already completed domestic runs between Calabar and Port Harcourt and will begin direct sailings to China in October, eliminating the need for third-party transshipment hubs. The vessel will also support exports to African markets, with traders from Abuja, Calabar, and other regions already securing bookings.
Industry leaders hailed the launch as a turning point.
A critical stakeholder and Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, called it a patriotic milestone and urged traders to support Clarion’s naira-based transactions to ease forex burdens.
Chief Chinedu Ukatu, President of the Igbo Market Association, praised the vessel’s advanced technology and sustainability features, calling it “the unveiling of a future for Nigerian trade.
Solomon Ogudu, Regional Manager, traced Clarion’s journey from a small freight forwarder to a pan-Nigerian shipping line, stressing that the expansion is about empowering the economy through indigenous participation.
Clarion Shipping’s partners, including Chinese stakeholders led by Mr. Peter Leng Lijiang and Hafnaz Oil and Gas, played key roles in preparing the vessel for operation.
As the October sail date approaches, MV Ocean Dragon stands as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and economic self-reliance—poised to redefine Nigeria’s role in global trade.