Lagos, Nigeria – July 4, 2025
In a historic milestone for Nigeria’s maritime industry, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has successfully berthed the first wholly Nigerian-owned container vessel at the nation’s port, signaling a new era of indigenous participation in international shipping.
The landmark development took place at the Lagos Port Complex, where the vessel, proudly flying the Nigerian flag, was received with commendations from port officials, maritime stakeholders, and government representatives.
The Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, hailed the berthing as a breakthrough achievement that aligns with Nigeria’s goal of deepening local content in the maritime sector. He noted that the feat underscores the resilience, capacity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian investors in the shipping industry.
“This is a proud moment for our nation,” Bello-Koko stated. “The arrival of a fully Nigerian-owned container vessel demonstrates that with the right policies and support structures, indigenous players can compete on the global stage.”
The vessel, owned and operated by a Nigerian firm, is expected to facilitate trade, enhance cargo handling capacity, and reduce dependency on foreign shipping lines, ultimately lowering logistics costs for Nigerian importers and exporters.
Maritime industry observers have described the achievement as a major leap toward building Nigeria’s blue economy and boosting job creation, revenue generation, and national pride in the shipping and logistics sector.
The Nigerian Ports Authority reaffirmed its commitment to supporting indigenous operators and pledged continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure the growth and sustainability of local maritime businesses.
