28 July 2016, Lagos – Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited has inaugurated a manned model of its new Dual Fuel Diesel Electric vessels at Southampton Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academy, United Kingdom
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NLNG, Babs Omotowa, in a statement, said the introduction of the manned model was a deliberate strategy to upscale the NLNG’s world-class safety and operations records, in addition to improving the training and development of mariners globally.
The manned model will join other models used by Warsash Maritime Academy, a leading marine technology and training academy, to provide training, consultancy and research to the NLNG and help develop mariners in the art of handling a ship.
Built to the 1:25 scale after one of the six DFDE vessels recently commissioned by Bonny Gas Transport, a subsidiary of NLNG,, the models are tools of simulation, designed to the correct power to weight ratio as its full sized counterpart.
Omotowa said, “The NLNG’s current goal is to sustain growth and build upon it safely. And that is precisely why we are here today. The NLNG’s partnership with Warsash Maritime Academy helped us to obtain the required design specification for the manned model, which was delivered from South Korea last month.
“The partnership will also deliver the highest quality ship handling training for the NLNG fleet officers and authorised third-party personnel. This is in addition to specialised consultancy services required for the planned NLNG Marine Resource Centre at Bonny Island.
“The NLNG and Warsash Maritime Academy may be separated by the oceans and great distances. But I have no doubt that we are united in our joint ambition to be the very best at what we do. It is no big surprise therefore that Nigeria LNG and Warsash have a relationship dating back many years.”
He added that through integrity, team work and excellence, the NLNG had been built to be a safe, reliable and profitable company. The NLNG and Warsash Maritime Academy have a long-standing relation in the training and skills development of ship personnel manning NLNG vessels.
The Director, Southampton Solent University’s School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Dr. Syamantak Bhattacharya, said, “This most recent addition to the fleet demonstrates the importance placed on this type of training by 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 the centre at Timsbury Lake.”
Warsash Maritime Academy, the commercial maritime arm of Southampton Solent University, has provided first-class education, training, consultancy and research services to the international shipping, commercial yacht, and offshore oil and gas industries for 70 years.
The NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely: the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (49 per cent); Shell Gas BV, (25.6 per cent); Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent); and Eni International, (10.4 per cent).
The company, in 2013, signed $1.6bn deal with Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries to build six vessels, the last of which was delivered recently.
- Punch