NPA Backs Indigenous Shipping as Nigerian-owned Vessel "MV Ocean Dragon" Berths at Onne Port
- The NPA remains committed to boosting indigenous shipping with the arrival of MV Ocean Dragon, a Nigerian-owned container vessel
- The vessel will support coastal and regional trade across West and Central Africa, aligning with President Tinubu’s "Nigeria First" policy
- NPA MD Abubakar Dantsoho highlighted the move as part of broader efforts to position Nigeria as a leader in regional maritime trade
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Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, has reiterated the Authority’s commitment to strengthening indigenous participation in the maritime sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s "Nigeria First" policy.
Dantsoho made the statement during the inaugural arrival of the MV Ocean Dragon at the West African Container Terminal (WACT) within the Onne Port Complex.
Source: UGC
The vessel, fully owned by Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, has a carrying capacity of 349 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and is poised to enhance coastal shipping between Onne and Calabar.
This move complies with Nigeria’s Cabotage Law and aims to stimulate indigenous shipping activities and boost port throughput along the eastern corridor.
Highlighting the vessel’s national ownership, Dantsoho said:
"Beyond the vessel’s high loading capacity and distinctive features, the fact that MV Ocean Dragon is wholly Nigerian underscores our alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the NPA’s commitment to local content development."
He emphasised the vessel's capacity to move substantial Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) efficiently across African waters, describing it as a testament to Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime standards, including the International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH) focus on multimodal transport and improved hinterland access.
According to Dantsoho, the vessel’s deployment aligns with the objectives of the NPA’s Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), which are designed to connect producers deep in the country’s interior to global markets through streamlined port services.
He also referenced broader developments in Nigeria’s maritime sector, citing port reforms and modernisation efforts that aim to sustain the country’s improving trade performance.
He said:
"With rising transhipment volumes at Lekki Deep Seaport and increased external trade reported by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in 2025, the arrival of MV Ocean Dragon signals a maturing business climate in Nigeria."
The NPA chief assured international investors of continued government support under the guidance of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whom he praised for promoting business-friendly policies and driving growth in the maritime space.
The MV Ocean Dragon is expected to operate across key sea routes in West and Central Africa, offering a more affordable and efficient alternative to road transport.
Source: UGC
Its scheduled destinations include ports in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Egypt, and South Africa.
Its introduction is projected to advance Nigeria’s goals for improved short-sea shipping, regional maritime integration, and long-term investment in the blue economy.
Dantsoho calls for stronger regional collaboration
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) called on African nations to convert their marine comparative advantages into economic growth.
The association's president, Dantsoho, emphasised the importance of regional collaboration and data-driven decision-making in port management.
He also commended the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, noting that it has strengthened efforts to develop the sector.
Source: Legit.ng
