Damen launches new LST built for Nigerian NavyNovember 15, 2021, by Fatima Bahtić
Damen Shipyards Sharjah (DSS) in the United Arab Emirates has launched a new landing craft (LST 100) ordered by the Nigerian Navy.
The company revealed that the launching ceremony took place a few months ago at Albwardy Damen, Sharjah, UAE. The keel-laying ceremony for the vessel was held in February last year.
On completion the 100-meter, roll-on/roll-off landing ship will have the capacity to accommodate a crew of 32 and 250 Embarked Marine Forces personnel.
The vessel also has deck space for vehicles, a helicopter / UAV deck and significant space for cargo, which can be loaded via both a stern and a bow ramp or using the 25-tonne main crane.
These and other capabilities will enhance the Nigerian Navy’s ability to deploy troops and military hardware and vehicles in support of maritime security operations, as well as the supply of relief material in the event of disasters or other crises. Overall, it will be a critical component of power projection for the enhancement of Nigeria’s maritime security at every level.
The Nigerian Navy’s LST 100 is scheduled for delivery in 2022.
Located on a 284,000 square meter site, DSS is a joint venture between Damen Shipyards Group and Albwardy Marine Engineering. The yard has the facilities to repair and construct all type of vessels and has so far delivered tugs, workboats, support vessels, dredgers, landing craft, floating docks, barges and pontoons.
Damen offers a wide range of standardised LST vessels from 40-metres up to 120-metres, all fully customisable to meet the specific needs of each client.
https://www.navaltoday.com/2021/11/15/damen-launches-new-lst-built-for-nigerian-navy/LST 100
The new LST has a complement of 32 crew and 250 embarked persons and a length of 100.08m. She is powered by 2 Caterpillar/Cat 3516 C-rating engines and 4 Caterpillar C-18 generators. Furthermore, she has an endurance of 15 days at 15 knots. If she is to be used for humanitarian missions/evacuation, she can accommodate over 450 persons on its upper and lower decks in short trips.
The bid opening process for the procurement of the LST was held on 19 December 2017 and supervised/conducted by a team from the Bureau of Public Procurement as well as a technical committee of the Nigerian Navy. The Shipbuilding companies that participated were Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, Anadolu Shipyard of Turkey and Indian Shipyards GOA of India. On 13 June 2019, the NN and Damen Shipyards signed the final general arrangement plan and specifications on the LST 100 and this date of 13 June 2019 became the effective date of the contract for the LST 100. The contract duration as agreed by both parties was approximately 36 months from the effective date of the contract. The Keel laying ceremony for the LST 100 was held on 9 December 2019 at The Damen-Albwardy Shipyard in Sharjah the UAE. The immediate past CNS Vice Admiral IE Ibas placed the Nigerian Navy insignia into the keel and sealed it.
https://navalpost.com/damen-launches-lst-100-for-nigeria/