OCEA launches research vessel for Nigeria

28th September 2020 - 10:21 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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A new vessel for the Nigerian Navy was launched on 24 September at the OCEA shipyard in Les Sables d'Olonne, France.

The hydrographic research vessel was christened Lana. It will be used for EEZ patrols, fishery protection and oceanic research programmes.

Based on an OSV 190 SC-WB design, Lana is 60.1m long with a maximum speed of 14kt. The vessel, which carries a complement of 50 personnel, can cover 4,400nm at 12kt for 20 days.

OCEA built the vessel under a 2018 contract from the Nigerian Navy, worth an undisclosed amount. It was selected in an international tender ahead of competition from shipyards in India, South Africa, South Korea and Spain.

The Nigerian Navy already operates 24-35m patrol boats built by OCEA.

‘By the end of 2020, the Vendée shipyard will deliver two 35m FPB 110 MKII type patrol boats and four interceptors to the Nigerian Navy,’ the company added.

According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Nigerian Navy already operates two FPB 110s.

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