By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the ease of doing business and enhancing port efficiency to unlock the country’s maritime potential.
This assurance came on Thursday during the historic maiden call of MV Ocean Dragon, the first wholly Nigerian-owned container vessel, at the Onne Ports Complex in Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the vessel’s arrival as a landmark development, highlighting Nigeria’s growing seriousness in aligning with international best practices in port operations, particularly those championed by the International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
“With shipping volumes set to increase, investments like the Clarion Shipping acquisition demonstrate the long-term impact of forward-looking maritime ventures on our economy,” Dantsoho said.
He emphasized that MV Ocean Dragon – with its 349 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) capacity – is a symbol of national pride and a testament to the federal government’s “Nigeria First” policy under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. He noted that the vessel reinforces Nigeria’s focus on local content and improved port-hinterland connectivity through Export Processing Terminals (EPTs).
Dantsoho further highlighted the significance of the NPA’s ongoing port modernization project and reforms aimed at sustaining an investor-friendly environment. “These reforms are key to the consistent national trade surpluses we’ve achieved year-on-year,” he said.
The NPA boss also linked the development to recent increases in Nigeria’s transshipment activity, especially from the Lekki Deep Seaport, and noted that the improved business environment is attracting more strategic investments in the maritime sector.
He assured stakeholders and global investors of the authority’s continued drive to optimize the nation’s blue economy and strengthen Nigeria’s position in regional and global trade.
