The Nigerian Navy has purchased the NNS LANA, a new hydrographic and oceanographic research vessel, to replace the previous one, which was decommissioned ten years earlier, with the aim of improving maritime security in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
After provisional acceptance, the Navy took delivery of the new offshore survey vessel from OCEA, a French shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.
The vessel will help the Nigerian Navy gain a better understanding of its maritime territories and Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as conduct coastal and deep sea scientific research and surveys, as well as provide assistance and supplies to other vessels, as well as helicopter winching and ship towing.
The vessel will be launched in September 2020, according to the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi, who spoke at the Flag Transfer ceremony in France. He explained that the NN chose OCEA to carry out the contract after an international request for tenders for the procurement of a hydrographic research vessel and related logistical support services.
“The provision of survey services and charting place a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation as well as delivery of maritime security,” said the minister, who was represented by Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff.
As a result, this ship will not only improve the protection of Nigeria’s maritime climate, but it will also play an important role in the deployment of naval strength.
It will also play an important role in the security of maritime resources and the maintenance of law and order at sea, thus helping to promote global maritime commerce.”
“It is also capable of performing geophysical surveys, search and rescue operations, and patrol duties,” he claims.
The ship is outfitted with cutting-edge modern survey equipment as well as a variety of other amenities.
The ship also has an Automatic Weather Station, or AWS, as well as wet and dry labs, science and technical workshops, and survey data working and processing rooms. When the ship arrives in Nigeria, it will be armed with 30 mm and 212.77 mm guns for protection. After passing the conditional acceptance trials, NNS LANA was handed over to the Nigerian Navy in France on January 15, 2021.