Damen delivers security patrol boats to Nigeria

Vessel's accommodation areas have ballistic protection

MAY 15, 2016 — Nigeria’s C&I Leasing Plc has taken delivery of four Damen SPa 1605 ballistic-protected security patrol vessels, following successful sea trials.

They will be used to provide security patrol and escort services for LNG tankers calling in and out of the Bonny, Nigeria, LNG terminal.

The 16-m craft have aluminum hulls and GRP composite superstructures. The accommodation area has been additionally clad with bullet-proof materials to protect the personnel inside.

All four vessels also feature upgraded water jets and engines for maximum performance.

After sales support is being provided by a Damen Service Hub that opened in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in early 2015. The hub is also providing on-site training and will clear and delivers spare parts for the vessels.

Martin Verstraaten, Damen Regional Service Manager Africa, says: “The establishment of the Service Hub ensures a local presence with quick response times with Field Service Engineers and a local Site Manager on the ground. This dynamic team maintains close contact with local repair facilities, cooperation with local suppliers and reinforces the strong relationship with our customers.”

The four patrol boats were fitted out at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and delivered to Nigeria as a single batch at the beginning of last month. An 8 m RHIB for up to 10 passengers was also delivered as part of the package.

Receiving the vessels in Lagos, C&I Leasing General Manager Mr. Wisdom Nwagwu said that the LNG terminal contract, which was signed in late 2014, was for a five-year firm period options for extensions for up to three years.

Mr. Nwagwu noted that the latest delivery from Damen bring the number of Damen-built boats in the the C&I Leasing fleet to seven.

“We strongly believe that our partnership with Damen will continually place us in a position to play a key role in the Nigerian marine sector,” he said.

In November 2015, C&I Leasing sponsored twelve candidates to travel to Damen Shipyards Galati, in Romania, for a period of six weeks to study various aspects of shipbuilding.