New patrol vessel deployed offshore Nigeria
Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited (HIOSL) has taken delivery of a Damen FCS 3307 Patrol, to be deployed offshore Nigeria, in the next few weeks, Damen said in its press release.
Established in 2006, HIOSL serves the Nigerian oil and gas industry with a wide range of maritime, security and logistics services. The Lagos headquartered company has ambitious plans to become the leading marine logistics provider in the Nigerian offshore industry.
The Damen FCS 3307 Patrol, to be named ‘Guardian 1’, has just undergone sea trials in the Netherlands and will soon set sail to Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Guardian 1 is the company’s third patrol vessel.
Guardian 1 will be used for maritime security purposes, crew transfers and supplying cargo and provisions. The company also works very closely with the Nigerian Navy. As well as patrol vessels and tugs, HIOSL provides equipment for the producers, supplies house boats, barges and cranes, and the company operates one of the largest crawler cranes in Nigeria.
HIOSL Managing Director Louis Ekere, comments: “The Damen vessel gives us much more speed. This is crucial, as nowadays you really need the most modern equipment before you can get these type of contracts in Nigeria.”
Mr Ekere continues: “The vessel could also be delivered very quickly; within seven months. Damen not only builds world-class vessels, they are also great partners for technical support services. We have been blown away by Damen being able to build such a vessel in such a short interval - even ahead of schedule. And we can now take advantage of this because Guardian 1 already has work.”
The Damen FCS 3307 Patrol has the pioneering ‘Sea Axe’ bow that gives the vessel unparalleled seakeeping behaviour, even in challenging conditions. The 30 knts vessel is extremely fuel-efficient and can also transport cargo on its aft deck to the offshore rigs.