Clarion shipping unveils MV Ocean Dragon, set to begin Direct China route in October
Clarion Shipping Unveils MV Ocean Dragon, set to Begin Direct China Route in October
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigerian maritime sector witnessed a historic moment on Wednesday as Clarion Shipping West Africa unveiled its container vessel, MV Ocean Dragon.
The event, held in Lagos on Wednesday marked the return of indigenous shipping to the global stage after decades of reliance on foreign operators.
For many in attendance, the unveiling felt like a homecoming. It was the first time since the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) that a Nigerian company would boldly announce its presence in international dry cargo shipping. The symbolism was not lost on importers, exporters, and freight forwarders who gathered to celebrate what many described as a rebirth for the nation’s maritime industry.
The highlight of the occasion was the announcement that MV Ocean Dragon would commence direct sailings between Nigeria and China in October. With this move, Clarion Shipping promised to eliminate costly transshipment delays that have long plagued Nigerian shippers, providing instead a streamlined logistics chain designed to save time and money.
For the Vice President of Clarion Shipping West Africa, Benardine Eloka, she described the unveiling as more than just the launch of a vessel.
“This is about restoring confidence to Nigerian traders and giving them practical solutions to longstanding shipping bottlenecks,” she said, adding that the company was offering significant freight incentives.
According to her, shippers will enjoy a $500 discount on every 40-foot container and $300 on each 20-foot container carried by the vessel. She explained that the incentives were part of Clarion Shipping’s commitment to easing the financial burden on importers and exporters while encouraging the use of homegrown shipping services.
Eloka also acknowledged the company’s global and local partners, including Chinese stakeholders led by Mr. Peter Leng Lijiang and Hafnaz Oil and Gas, whose bunkering and tugboat support were instrumental in preparing MV Ocean Dragon for operations. She disclosed that the vessel had already made domestic runs between Calabar and Port Harcourt as part of its operational readiness.
Beyond imports, the company is equally focused on boosting Nigeria’s exports. Eloka revealed that the vessel would be used to transport locally produced goods to other African markets. Traders from Abuja, Calabar, and other regions have already begun making bookings, signaling broad enthusiasm for the venture.
Industry leaders were quick to applaud the milestone.
Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), described Clarion’s achievement as a patriotic move deserving of nationwide support. “This is our own. If we must grow, we must patronize it,” he said, stressing that transacting in naira with Clarion could ease the forex challenges many traders currently face.
Chief Chinedu Ukatu, President of the Igbo Market Association and chairman of the unveiling ceremony, called the launch an “epoch-making event.” He praised the vessel’s modern technology, highlighting its efficiency, sustainability features, and expanded cargo capacity. “This is not just the unveiling of a ship; it is the unveiling of a future for Nigerian trade,” he declared.
Ukatu further emphasized that the vessel’s capacity to handle large cargo volumes would enhance intra-African trade under emerging platforms such as GAPCAI. He noted that sustainable shipping practices embedded in MV Ocean Dragon would also help Nigeria align with global environmental standards.
