In another move towards optimizing the functionality of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, the Nigerian Navy (NN) took delivery of a state-of-the-art Offshore Survey Vessel (OSV) recently.
Navy spokesman, Commodore Adams-Aliu who made the disclosure noted that a French shipbuilding company OCEA SA, successfully delivered the cutting-edge OSV 115 vessel to the navy in Apapa Lagos on April 17, 2024.
“The OSV 115, designed and manufactured by OCEA SA, is a 35-meter vessel built for scientific hydrographic and oceanographic missions. Equipped with progressive technology, including medium/shallow water multi-beam echo-sounders and other essential survey equipment, the vessel is primed to conduct in-depth surveys in shallow and medium waters.
“This latest addition to the NN fleet will operate in tandem with the OSV 190 “NNS LANA,” also built and delivered by OCEA in 2021. The primary role of the new vessel is to conduct hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, supporting the ongoing navy’s efforts to safeguard Nigerian territorial waters and optimize the current administration’s Blue Economy initiatives.” He said.
Recall that the navy commenced local production of internationally recognized nautical charts in 2019 and the newly acquired OSV will further improve NN hydrographic charting proficiency.
It was gathered that the delivery of the OSV 115 vessel comes with comprehensive support services, including training, spare parts, tooling, and necessary documentation, ensuring seamless integration and operation within the Nigerian Navy’s fleet.
“The CNS remains grateful to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the NN in her fleet renewal aspirations.” He said.