By Amina Ojelabi
Nigeria’s maritime sector may have turned a new page with the unveiling of the country’s first indigenous container vessel by Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, a development industry stakeholders have described as transformative for trade across Africa and the West Coast.
Clarion Shipping, which has operated in the logistics and shipping space for decades, said the move to own and operate a vessel is aimed at closing long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s maritime supply chain.
The company’s Vice President, Mrs. Bernadine Eloka, disclosed this during a sensitisation visit to traders at the Balogun Business Association (BBA) in the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
Industry stakeholders present at the event hailed the milestone. The President of Haffnaz Global Venture, Alhaj Ahmed Muhammad, described the new vessel Ocean Driver 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.
On his part, Clarion Shipping’s Regional Manager, Mr. Solomon Ogudo, said the new service would “bring 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.
According to Ogudo, 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.
R-L members Balogun Business Association BBA Int Trade Fair Lagos , Mrs Bernadine Eloka, BoT BBA, President BBA Paul Okechukwu, Managing Director Suncity Terminal Logistics Mustafa Muhammad, other members BBA.
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.”
Meanwhile, Mrs. Eloka 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. She added that the company plans to introduce its own dedicated vessel into the route as 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.
With the unveiling of Ocean Dragon and Clarion’s expansion plans, many stakeholders believe 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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