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To meet the increased volume in trade, chief folawiyo set up his own shipping company, maritime associates (international) ltd. Until this time, shipping operations to and from Nigeria had been monopolised by foreign companies. However, the new indigenous company soon became a national carrier for nigeria's vitally important agricultural exports of cocoa, palm kernels and ground nuts. Of the 35 indigenous carriers exiting in 1976, maritime associates (international) ltd is the only company still operating.
As the organisation's chartering activities developed and demand for shipping space increased, chief folawiyo created a new shipping company, nigerian green lines ltd. From the purchase of its first ship - M. V. 'ahmadu tijani' (10,826 tons dead-weight) in 1973, nigerian green lines blossomed in six short years to become the largest privately-owned shipping company in west Africa with a fleet of six general cargo vessels totalling 87,807 tons dead-weight. In 1975, the shipping operations were expanded with the inauguration of a regular liner service from Europe to Nigeria, utilising both owned and chartered ships. The line carried large quantities of nigerian produce to both Europe and the USA in addition to the regular shipment of bagged cement, totalling half a million tons a year. It became a member of continent west Africa conference (cowac) and UK/west Africa lines joint service (ukwal) and a recognised national line in the unctad context.
To improve on the discharging time and facilities in lagos port, the group then embarked on a us $5 million investment programme in lighterage facilities. This included the purchase of 18 pontoons, two motorised barges and three tug boats.
