Minister, Dakuku, stakeholders joyous as Ogbeifun boosts Nigerian fleet with MV ‘OSANYAMO’
Nigeria’s foremost shipping mogul, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun is set to positively alter the nation’s fleet status as MV OSANYAMO, a new built Damen Azimuth Stern Drive Tug 5114, the first and largest of its class departs China, on her maiden voyage to Nigeria.
Built for Starz Investment Company Limited (SICL) in Nigeria, the vessel which is currently generating noteworthy excitements in Nigeria, is primarily and purposefully built to assist in tanker lifting operations alongside FPSOs in the Gulf of Guinea, under a contract with Total Exploration & Production Nigeria limited.
Ministry sources said that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi is proudly excited; even as two officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), confirmed that the agency Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has already called Ogbeifun, who is also the President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), to congratulate him.
Remarkably, the ASD 5114 is not only the largest in Damen’s tug range to date, at 52.3 meters- length, displacing 800 tonnes; she is also, a state-of–the –art tug, being a highly maneuverable vessel, fully equipped, for offshore operation.
Its features include a 268sqm deck space, at 5 tonnes load per m, 2 large fuel and water tanks; with transfer capability of 115 tonnes astern and 110 tonnes ahead.
The double-tier deckhouse provides accommodation for a 14 crew and up to 10passengers built in compliance with the requirement of the MLC which came into effect in 2016.
Propulsion is via two main ABC16 DZC engines delivering 6,700kw powering twin kort nozzle thrusters manufactured by Schottel.
Additional capabilities include fire-fighting (FiFI1) and oil recovery operation, with 101m3 of integral oil recovery tanks. The MV OSANYAMO is also equipped with a dedicated Pal-finder water jet driven line handling craft to be used for handling hoses and lines for cleaning inspection ad repairs on the aft deck.
The MV ‘OSANYAMO’ is set to join the MV ‘OSAYAME’; a Damen ASD 3211 Tug built at Damen Shipyards Cape Town South Africa, delivered in 22.09.
The MV ‘OSAYAME’ has impressively maintained a record of 8 years of zero downtime and lost time injury operations.
The SICL are Ship Owners and Managers, Offshore Marine Services Provider and a Private Maritime Security Provider, who owns and operates a range of vessels including terminal tugs and Security Patrol Vessels.
A NIMASA staffer who lauded its design and detailed engineering, noted the steel cutting and kneel laying phases.
“There is no doubt that this vessel has been constructed to a very high level of quality which is synonymous with Damen Shipyard”, he indicated; noting that the vessel would be sailing under the Nigerian flag, while speaking under conditions of anonymity.
It was further learnt that the formal handing over of the vessel took place at the signing of the Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance ceremony which was witnessed by Mr. Andy Holder, the Vice-Chairman of Starzs, and the representatives from the ship, that will be sailing with vessel to Nigeria, under the Nigerian Flag, while Nigerian stakeholders, particularly SOAN members eagerly anticipate her safe delivery to Nigeria to commence operations.
It is noteworthy that the Starzs Investment Company Limited has built a reputation guaranteeing zero downtime and zero loss time injury in their operations in the operations in the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry thereby: exceeding her clients’ expectations without compromising safety, reliability and integrity.
With a competent workforce both offshore and onshore, the company is contributing significantly to the growth of the Nigerian Maritime Industry in the area of seafarers training and employment, local content development and the Nigerian economy in general.
