First Nigerian-owned container vessel, M.V. Ocean Dragon, docks in Lagos

In a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s maritime industry, the first Nigerian-owned container vessel, M.V. Ocean Dragon, made its maiden call at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos last Wednesday, marking a major step toward boosting indigenous participation in regional shipping.

The vessel, operated by Clarion Shipping, arrived with over 350 containers and is expected to significantly ease cargo movement challenges for Nigerian importers and exporters.

Speaking during a reception ceremony, Mrs. Benedine Eloka, Vice President of Clarion Shipping, described the vessel’s arrival as the realization of a long-term vision, made possible through strategic support from financial institutions and government agencies.

“The Ocean Dragon, with a capacity of 349 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), provides a dependable alternative to road transport, which is often plagued by delays and inefficiencies,” she said.

Designed for both domestic and regional operations, the vessel will service routes across West Africa, including Cotonou, Lome, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, with plans to expand to Egypt and South Africa.

“We already have confirmed bookings to Ghana and Lome,” Eloka revealed. “A second vessel is expected to sail directly from China to Lagos, bypassing the delays caused by trans-shipment through multiple countries.”

Clarion Shipping’s Managing Director, Ms. Venessa Eloka, reiterated the company’s commitment to addressing the short-sea shipping gap in West Africa. She emphasized the growing demand for localized maritime solutions as a key motivator for the investment.

The Panama-flagged Ocean Dragon is manned by a 16-member crew, 10 of whom are Nigerians. The vessel is captained by Indonesian seafarer, Captain Deddy Febriyanto.

The development marks a significant stride for indigenous maritime capacity and regional trade facilitation in Nigeria.