Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited has introduced Nigeria’s first indigenous direct shipping service between China and Nigeria, offering importers cost-saving incentives such as no container deposits, 21 days of free demurrage, and freight discounts of $500 and $300 on 40-foot and 20-foot containers respectively.
Speaking at a stakeholders engagement in Lagos on Wednesday, the Vice President of Clarion Shipping West Africa, Mrs Benardine Eloka, described the service as a milestone in the country’s maritime history. She explained that one of the most significant benefits for Nigerian importers is the removal of container deposits, a long-standing requirement that ties down traders’ capital.
In addition, the new service grants a 21-day free demurrage period, giving importers more time to clear goods without incurring heavy storage charges. To further ease costs, Clarion Shipping announced a freight discount of $500 on every 40-foot container and $300 on every 20-foot container shipped under its direct service.
Eloka said these measures are designed to make Nigerian cargo more affordable and globally competitive, while also encouraging importers and exporters to support an indigenous shipping line.
She noted that the service will provide direct access to major Chinese ports, including Qingdao, Yiwu, Nanshan, Shanghai, and Ningbo, thereby eliminating costly transshipment delays at foreign hubs. The streamlined arrangement, she added, will reduce risks, shorten transit times, and position Nigeria more firmly as a hub for West African commerce.
Eloka reassured stakeholders that Clarion will continue to rely on clearing agents and does not compete with them for clients. To strengthen this, the company has entered into collaboration with the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), calling on agents, importers, exporters, and trade associations to patronize the service.
“This achievement is not just for Clarion but for Nigeria. By abolishing container deposits, extending free demurrage, and offering freight reductions, we are creating a truly Nigerian-driven shipping experience that reduces costs, enhances efficiency, and empowers local businesses,” Eloka said.
Clarion confirmed that bookings are already open, with weekly sailings guaranteed to ensure timely cargo movement.
The President General of Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria (ASIMPIN), HRM Eze Damian Obianigwe, described the acquisition of Clarion Shipping’s indigenous vessel as an unprecedented breakthrough in Nigeria’s maritime sector. He emphasized that no individual or company had achieved such a feat before, making Clarion’s success particularly remarkable. In his words, “What men could not do, you have done. Nobody has owned such a ship in this industry before, but today a woman has done it.”
The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, placed Clarion’s achievement within the broader context of Nigeria’s maritime history. He recalled the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and the failed ship acquisition schemes that followed, noting that these setbacks left the industry entirely at the mercy of foreign shipping companies. “Foreign operators have dominated containerized shipping for decades. What Clarion is doing is correcting a historic imbalance and returning capacity to Nigerians,” he observed.
Chief Chukwu Osita, the National President of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Coalition, said Clarion Shipping’s breakthrough signals relief for freight forwarders and the Nigerian economy while urging the federal government to recognize the milestone with national honors, describing it as a patriotic achievement with long-term benefits
He explained that for years, freight forwarders had endured harsh practices such as group clearances and escalating costs, which often eroded profit margins. “Cry no more, that is what Clarion means now. With this vessel, Nigeria is saved, the economy is saved, and citizens are saved,” he declared.
Representing APFFLON at the event, Mr. Jibril Usman praised Clarion Shipping’s introduction of industry-first incentives, including no container deposits and 21 days of free demurrage. He pointed out that such incentives were unheard of in Nigeria’s shipping sector, where operators typically burdened importers with additional financial demands. “In all the shipping companies we’ve dealt with, we’ve never seen such incentives. This is a different face for the industry,” he said.
Mr. S. Salawu, who spoke on behalf of the Oodua Maritime Group, lauded Clarion Shipping for its bold move but cautioned that consistency would be key. He recalled that in the past, some operators had launched with attractive promises only to reverse them once they secured market dominance. “We pray you will fulfill your promises of 21 free days, $500 rebates, and no container deposits. Seeing is believing,” he said.
On his part, General Secretary of NAGAFF, Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, hailed the berthing of Clarion’s vessel as a game-changer for indigenous shipping operations in Nigeria. He noted that for too long, the maritime space had been dominated by foreign lines, with Nigerians largely excluded from major shipping operations.
