Nigeria Berths First Wholly Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel, MV Ocean Dragon
In a historic milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has successfully berthed the MV Ocean Dragon, the first fully Nigerian-owned container vessel, at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The vessel, operated by Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, arrived at approximately 5:05 a.m. on July 2, 2025, marking a significant leap forward for indigenous participation in the country’s shipping and logistics industry.
The Panama-flagged vessel, registered under IMO number 9508770, has a capacity of 349 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and is designed for short-sea shipping. It is expected to play a major role in facilitating regional cargo movement along Nigeria’s coastline and across West Africa, offering a safer and faster alternative to road transport, which is often hampered by poor infrastructure and security risks.
Speaking at the event, NPA Managing Director Mohammed Bello-Koko described the berthing of the MV Ocean Dragon as a clear indication of Nigeria’s growing capacity in the maritime sector.
“This is a proud moment. It reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to growing our blue economy by empowering indigenous players in the shipping industry,” he said.
He emphasized that the development aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s push to diversify the economy through strategic investment in infrastructure and local enterprise.
The MV Ocean Dragon will primarily serve Nigerian coastal routes and selected ports across West and Central Africa, including Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.
According to Bernadine Eloka, Vice President of Clarion Shipping, the vessel will help bridge a critical gap in the logistics chain.
“This vessel was launched to tackle the inefficiencies of over-reliance on road transport. It can move 349 containers from Lagos to ports in Calabar, Onitsha, or Port Harcourt in just two days—an operation that could take over a week by road, with added risks,” she explained.
Eloka also revealed that Clarion has already secured 1,300 export containers from Nigerian manufacturers and farmers, many of whom have long complained about container shortages and high export costs due to delays by foreign-owned shipping companies.
The MV Ocean Dragon is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by making inter-African trade more accessible, faster, and cost-effective. According to Mustafa Mohammed, Managing Director of Clarion Suncity Terminal Logistics, the vessel will help streamline the flow of agricultural goods, manufactured products, and raw materials across borders.
Clarion Shipping also plans to expand its fleet in the coming year. A larger feeder vessel with a capacity of 1,780 TEUs is already in development to serve major West African ports more competitively and complement the services of the Ocean Dragon.
The achievement is also in line with Nigeria’s Cabotage Law, which mandates that only Nigerian-owned, -crewed, and -built vessels can operate on domestic coastal routes. Until now, most container vessels operating in Nigeria have been foreign-owned, limiting opportunities for local investment and job creation.
“This is not just about a single ship,” said Mustafa Mohammed. “It’s about creating a new pathway for local ownership, capacity building, and economic independence in maritime logistics.”
With the successful berthing of MV Ocean Dragon, Nigeria is taking a bold step toward maritime self-sufficiency. As Clarion Shipping prepares for expanded operations, stakeholders are optimistic that this move will help ease the pressure on road networks, reduce cargo delivery times, and support regional integration under AfCFTA.
For many in the industry, this event marks the dawn of a new era—one in which Nigerian companies take the lead in navigating and shaping the future of West African trade.
