Clarion Shipping container vessels, MV Clarion Ocean Dragon to solving logistics challenges
Clarion Shipping container vessels, MV Clarion Ocean Dragon to solving logistics challenges
Segun Oladipupo
Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited on wednesday, historically, unveiled Nigeria’s first fully indigenous container vessel the MV Clarion Ocean Dragon.
Expected to revolutionise the shipping in the region, MV Dragon which was unveiled at the Five Star Logistics Terminal at the Tin Can Island Port is set to ply key West Africa n trade routes.
The vessel is owned by owned and operated entirely by Nigerians which will deepen local participation in Maritime logistics
The Vice President of Clarion Shipping, Mrs Bernadine Eloka at the unveiling, stated that the vessel acquisition was targeted at solving logistics challenges with safer and more efficient alternative to road transport.
“This vessel can move 349 containers within two days along Nigerian coastal waters. It’s a game-changer,” Eloka stated, noting that the *Ocean Dragon* was designed for seamless port-to-port cargo movement within Nigeria, with further service plans for countries like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Egypt, and South Africa.
Explaining how its acquisition, Mrs Eloka said it was built in China and acquired with the backing of Nigerian banks but added that it faced some hurdles before it came into fruition.
“Raising capital for a vessel in Nigeria is no joke,” she remarked. “We didn’t get single-digit interest rates, but the banks believed in the vision and supported us.”
“More than 70% of the crew aboard the *Ocean Dragon* are Nigerians, which she described as a deliberate strategy to build local capacity and comply with the Cabotage Act. She emphasised that the vessel is Nigerian-flagged and has met all requirements from maritime regulators, including NIMASA, NPA, NIWA, and Nigeria Customs Service.
“We urge the Federal Government to enforce the Cabotage law fully. Let coastal container movement from ports like Lekki to Calabar, Tin Can, and Apapa be reserved for Nigerian vessels. Foreign liners should not dominate domestic waters,” Eloka appealed
Also speaking, the newly appointed Managing Director of Clarion Shipping, Ms Ada Eloka, the arrival of MV Clarion Ocean Dragon was both a professional and personal triumph.
Sharing her experience, Eloka, who took over leadership in January 2025, described overseeing the vessel’s acquisition and delivery from China as a defining moment in her career.
“The vessel left China on April 17 and arrived in Lagos on July 1. It took about 60 days at sea. We faced challenges—language barriers, technical setbacks, even an unexpected detour to Malaysia due to engine issues—but we stayed the course. Seeing it arrive this morning was overwhelming,” she said.
Eloka described the journey as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the possibilities for Nigerian ownership in an industry long dominated by foreign interests.
On his part, President of Clarion Group, Mr Eloka Innocent, expressed deep gratitude to God and commended the collaborative efforts that made the dream a reality.
Reflecting on the journey, Eloka recalled how, in 2021, the company’s Vice President declared her ambition to own a vessel and a seaport—a vision that has now become a reality through MV Clarion Ocean Dragon.
I am immensely grateful to the Almighty God who gave the Clarion Group this vision that, by His infinite mercies, compassion, and sufficient grace, is accomplished today,” he said.
Describing MV Clarion Ocean Dragon as more than just a ship, Eloka called it a symbol of national pride, business foresight, and God’s benevolence.
He said the vessel reinforces Clarion’s strategic efforts to reduce vessel waiting times, improve space management, and ensure quicker turnaround at Nigerian ports.
