Damen Shipyards Sharjah (DSS) in the United Arab Emirates held a keel-laying ceremony for a new landing craft (LST 100) ordered by the Nigerian Navy.
The ceremony took place in the Sahrjah Hamriyah Free Zone on December 9, 2019, Damen said on February 17, 2020.
The start of the vessel’s construction was attended by Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
“(The) ceremony is a significant step towards actualising the dream of restoring the Nigerian Navy’s sea lift capability,” Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, speaking at the keel-laying ceremony, said.
The 100-meter long roll-on-roll-off landing craft will be able to accommodate a crew of 32 people and 16 Embarked Marine Forces (EMF) in the deckhouse. There is an additional EMF accommodation for 234 pax at midship below the main deck. The vessel has a helicopter/UAV deck and significant space for cargo, loaded with the stern ramp, bow ramp or the 25 tons main crane, according to Damen.
The LST 100 has been designed for a range of duties including amphibious operations, strategic transport of equipment and troops, disaster relief, evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance.
The LST 100 is scheduled for delivery in May 2022.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas today performed the keel laying ceremony for the construction of Nigeria's latest warship, a Landing Ship Tank in Sharjah UAE. The Ship being constructed by Albwardy Damen Shipyards is expected to be completed in May 2020. pic.twitter.com/MCsnpuiQHA
— Nigerian Navy (@NigNavyToday) December 9, 2019
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.