LADOL now builds vessel’s topside in Nigeria, targets 2020 for full shipbuilding

Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), an industrial Free Trade Zone, located opposite the Lagos harbor, said it has finally started the construction and fabrication of vessel’s topside in Nigeria, following the completion of its Egina FPSO fabrication yard in 2015.

The Egina FPSO fabrication works, which is now ongoing in the yard, means that greater component of the ship ‘the topside,’ can be built in Nigeria while the yard awaits the completion of a large dry-dock facility to enable it build the hull, said Amy Jadesimi, managing director of LADOL, when the controller, Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) visited the Zone recently.

The LADOL boss, who states that the hull of the vessel is being built in South Korea, also noted that big cranes of 1,000; 2,000 and 5,000 cranes would be used to lift the fabricated pieces unto the hull of FPSO vessel on its arrival in 2017, when the vessel is expected to arrive in Nigeria.

“It is a massive project because by the time the integration is done; the entire topside of the FPSO will be as high as a 30 storey-building. The important aspect of the project is that we are increasing the local demand. Now, FPSO can berth in Nigeria, and if we have yards in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, even in Lagos, the work we would be doing will increase compared to now that the work that is done in Nigeria is limited,” she explained.

According to the LADOL boss, all fabrication works are formerly done in the other side of the world, but now, such work can be put in a barge and sent to LADOL. “The facility now makes it economically to fabricate in Nigeria, and in turn, local demand will increase by four times. This is going to be a real game changer for all of us.”

“We are optimistic that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to support wholly owned Nigerian companies helping to industrialise Nigeria, like LADOL. We believe that the maritime sector can do more for the economy, if you add fabrication and integration. The maritime industry should be able to fund more than 30 percent of the national budget,” she added.

Jadesimi further pledged that the company would continue to work with the Federal Government and the Customs to enhance revenue and diversification of the nation’s revenue base.

Speaking after being conducted round the Base, Willy Egbudin, controller, Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), charged Nigerians to support the laudable operations and project ongoing at the LADOL base, due to its multiplier effects and positive impact on the nation’s economy.

“LADOL, which has become a huge industrial centre, needs all the support because their operation will certainly boost the economy,” he said after inspecting the SHI-MCI Free Zone Enterprise, where the Egina FPSO is being fabricated.

LADOL Base provides a one-stop-shop ship and rig repairs, as well as 24/7 low cost drilling and production support, including fabrication and assembly yard, people management, catering, facilities for the supply of bulk materials, a helicopter base, open and closed storage facilities, sewage and waste treatment, potable water and medical services.

The world-class facilities, when fully operational, has a production capacity of 10, 000 metric tons and it encourages multinational firms exploiting the deep water oil reserves, to utilise Nigerian companies to service their operations, create jobs for Nigerians and ensure training, knowledge and technology transfer in-country.

UZOAMAKA ANAGOR-Ewuzie