Nigeria LNG commissions DFDE vessels for mariners’ training

Determined to contribute to the training and development of mariners globally, the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has commissioned a manned model of its new Dual Fuel Diesel Electric (DFDE) vessels at Warsash Maritime Academy, a part of Southampton Solent University, located in United Kingdom.

The newly commissioned vessel model is expected to join other models used by the renowned maritime academy, Warsash, to provide training, consultancy and research to NLNG. This will also help the academy to develop mariners in the art of handling a ship. The models are tools of simulation and are built to the correct power to weight ratio as its full sized counterpart.

In a statement signed by Kudo Eresia-Eke, general manager, External Relations of NLNG, Babs Omotowa, managing director and CEO of NLNG said the introduction of the manned model vessel was aimed at up-scaling NLNG’s world-class safety, operations, records and achievements.

According to him, the model was built to the 1:25 scale after one of the six DFDE vessels worth $1.6 billion was built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and was recently commissioned by Bonny Gas Transport (BGT), a subsidiary of NLNG.

He said that NLNG entered into partnership with Warsash Maritime Academy to help obtain the required design specification for the manned model vessel that was delivered from South Korea last month. The partnership, he pointed, will also deliver the highest quality ship handling training for NLNG fleet officers and authorised third-party personnel as well as the specialised consultancy services required for the planned NLNG Marine Resource Centre at Bonny Island.

“We may be separated by the oceans and distance but there is no doubt that we are united in our joint ambition to be the best at what we do, given our years of relationship in the training and skills development of ship personnel manning NLNG vessels,” says NLNG boss.

He further noted that NLNG has been built to be a safe, reliable and profitable company.

Also speaking, Syamantak Bhattacharya, director of Southampton Solent University’s School of Maritime Science and Engineering, stated that the newly introduced fleet demonstrates the importance placed on such type of training in the shipping industry. “Our Ship Handling Centre is internationally renowned and Nigeria LNG’s latest investment represents a significant addition to our fleet. We look forward to welcoming Nigeria LNG’s officers to our Ship Handling Centre at Timsbury Lake.”

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie