By Stella Okocha
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| Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited Indigenous Vessel MV OCEAN DRAGON |
Harboursandport.com:Lagos-September 16 2025: Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, is one of the leading companies in maritime logistics, have taken the Nigeria’s maritime sector by storm with the unveiling of the country’s first indigenous container vessel named MV OCEAN DRAGON, with the sole aim of closing long-standing gaps in the challenges faced by importers and stakeholders in the Nigeria’s maritime supply chain
The company’s Vice President, Mrs. Bernadine Eloka, disclosed this during a sensitization visit to the traders of Balogun Business Association (BBA) at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on Tuesday, 16th of September; describes this achievement as a transformative development for trade across Africa and the West Coast.
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| Vice President, Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, Mrs. Bernadine Eloka, |
Mrs. Eloka also revealed that Clarion Shipping is set to roll out a direct China–Nigeria service in the coming weeks, which will bypass transshipment delays and allow customers to book shipments directly, cut down increment in shipping charges, profer solutions that avoid containers from entering demurrage etc, adding that the company plans to introduce its own dedicated vessel into the route was part of its long-term strategy.
“This is not just a business plan it is a commitment to provide timely, efficient, and reliable shipping solutions for our people. Together, we can set a new standard for logistics and shipping in Nigeria,” she assured.
Another main speaker who spoke the event, Clarion Shipping’s Regional Manager, Mr. Solomon Ogudo, also explained to the stakeholders other benefits attached to their doing business with the indigenous vessel, stated that the new service was bringing local innovation to solve local problems, noting that the company has scrapped container deposits, which have long been a financial burden on importers. He added that Clarion is also offering rebates of $500 on 40-foot containers and $300 on 20-foot containers, alongside extended container days for shippers.
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| Clarion Shipping’s Regional Manager, Mr. Solomon Ogudo |
Mr Ogudo highlighted, "these measures are targeted at reducing delays in clearing processes, improving efficiency in moving cargo from mother ports to inland cities, and ultimately cutting costs across the logistics chain".
Other major Industry stakeholders present at the event hailed the shipping company, stating that it was another milestone conquered by the company. The President of Haffnaz Global Venture, Alhaj Ahmed Muhammad, described the new vessel Ocean Dragon as “a catalyst to revolutionise operations across Africa and the West Coast,” stressing that it was conceived to eliminate delays and inefficiencies that have hampered Nigerian importers and exporters for years.
The President of the Balogun Business Association, Mr. Paul Okechukwu, who spoke in support of the initiative, said Clarion’s entry into vessel ownership is “the kind of indigenous solution our economy needs.” He urged Nigerian traders to patronise the indigenous shipping line, describing it as “a step toward strengthening economic independence and building local capacity in a sector vital to national growth.”
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| President of the Balogun Business Association, Mr. Paul Okechukwu |
With the unveiling of Ocean Dragon, and Clarion’s expansion plans, it is the believe of many stakeholders that Nigeria’s maritime industry is witnessing the start of a new era one where indigenous operators take a leading role in shaping trade efficiency and competitiveness
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