The launching Ceremony for the first of the Nigerian Navy (NN) 2 x 76m, 1200 Tons High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (HE OPVs) has been held at the Dearsan Shipyard, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
The newly built HE OPV P203 was launched by Nigeria’s Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
It would be recalled that the NN signed a contract with Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey for the construction of 2 units of 76m HE OPV on 3 November 2021 and the Keel Laying Ceremony of the 2 ships which signified the commencement of their construction took place on 16 September 2022.
The CNS therefore noted that the Launching Ceremony of the first HE OPV P203 marks yet another important milestone in their construction, having progressed significantly through a very well-planned and executed design and construction process.
While reminding dignitaries on the import of launching ceremony of a naval vessel, Vice Admiral Ogalla said that “launching of a naval ship is an age-long tradition which signifies the birth of the ship. Today’s ceremony is, therefore, a solemn one in which the ship is dedicated and committed to the sea, while also praying for blessings of good fortune for the ship, its crew and its passengers.”
According to the CNS, “these ships when fully completed and commissioned into the Service of the NN, would complement and further sustain the efforts of the Fleet in ensuring naval presence at sea. This would help to curb the menace of oil theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime environment in particular and the Gulf of Guinea in general.”
Additionally, “the OPV would assist the NN in managing Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including provision of maritime security of areas and effective disaster relief.”
As such, the CNS used the opportunity to thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for his support to the project and commitment to the recapitalization of the NN Fleet.
He re-iterated that the Federal Government of Nigeria is highly committed to its obligations towards the successful completion of the 2 OPVs.
Again, he appreciated the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, the Nigerian Defence Adviser to Ankara, Dearsan Shipyard, the Nigerian Navy Project Control Team resident in Turkey and other invited guests for their various positive contributions towards making the project and launching ceremony a reality and success.
Relatively, following this giant step of the launching ceremony of the first 76m HE OPV P203, it is expected that all the ship’s installations would be fixed, connected and worked between January – May 2024.
