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

In a ceremony in Southhampton, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NLNG, Babs Omotowa, said the introduction of the manned model was “a deliberate strategy to upscale NLNG’s world-class safety and operations records and achievements.”

The manned model will join other model used by Warsash Maritime Academy, a world leading marine technology and training academy, to provide training, consultancy and research to NLNG and help 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.

The model was built to the 1:25 scale after one of the six DFDE vessels recently commissioned by Bonny Gas Transport (BGT), a subsidiary of NLNG. The company, in 2013, signed $1.6 billion deal with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to build six vessels.

According to Omotowa, “NLNG’s current goal is to sustain growth and build upon it, safely. And that is precisely why we are here today. 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 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.

“Our two companies 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 stated.

He added that through integrity, team work, excellence and caring, NLNG has been built to be a safe, reliable and profitable company.NLNG and Warsash Maritime Academy have a long-standing relation in the training and skills development of ship personnel manning NLNG vessels.

Dr Syamantak Bhattacharya, Director of Southampton Solent University’s School of Maritime Science and Engineering, says “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 our Ship Handling 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.

NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49%), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6%), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15%), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4%).

•Photo shows (3rd from L) Outgoing NLNG MD, Babs Omotowa Babs Omotowa; NLNG GM Shipping, Capt. Temilola Okesanjo; incoming NLNG MD, Tony Attah; and NLNG Deputy MD, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu at the commissioning of a new scaled NLNG vessel at Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academy in Sothhampton, UK…recently. With them is the Southampton Solent University Director, School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Captain Syamantak Bhattacharya and his team.

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