Subscribe to the newsletter
It floats! The LST 100 was launched at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on 7 June. This landing craft for the Nigerian Navy, designed to undertake diverse tasks, will start its sea trials this autumn. Despite the fact that due to Covid-19 no client representatives were able to attend, Project Director Sander Boost looks back on a successful launch. The 100-metre long and 16-metre wide vessel will most likely be handed over to the Nigerian Navy within the timeframe agreed with the client. Considering the challenges that Damen faced because of the pandemic, everyone is proud of that, says Sander.
Project Director Sander Boost.
The Landing Ship Transport 100 is an all-rounder. First and foremost, it is of course a landing vessel, a ship designed for carrying out amphibious operations whereby it sails from the sea onto the beach, or vice versa. The roll-on roll-off vessel is equipped in such a way that, when approaching the beach from the sea, the difference between its fore and aft draught can be ingeniously adjusted to the angle of the beach in a process called trimming. In the midships position is what Sander calls “a motorway” on which the vehicles used in landing operations can be placed.
This means that the sides of the LST 100 are home to all the ship’s systems. “This was quite a challenge when designing the ship,” says Sander. “It was like doing a jigsaw puzzle on a table that was as big as the puzzle itself.” In addition to its loading ramps, the amphibious vessel is equipped with a 25-tonne deck crane for the strategic transport of material and equipment. The vessel can of course also transport troops (250 men) and has a helicopter deck. Besides deployment for amphibious operations, the Nigerian Navy also intends to utilise the ship to safeguard and increase maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea.
The amphibious vessel is equipped with a 25-tonne deck crane for the strategic transport of material and equipment.
The new ship will also assist in relief operations during (natural) disasters and other humanitarian operations. “In case of floods, it could quickly evacuate victims from beach areas. The LST 100 can also provide electricity in areas where the power supply is down,” explains the Project Director. All in all, it is an extremely versatile ship, ‘light grey’ and therefore actually based on a work boat with relatively few weapons compared to a SIGMA ship, for example – but still very effective.
“In both directions, Damen Naval and Nevesbu worked together on this project in a very pleasant and natural way.” Sander Boost
The engineering for the LST 100 was a collaborative effort from Damen Naval and Nevesbu, with the engineering firm acting as co-maker and the work ratio about fifty-fifty. “In both directions, Damen Naval and Nevesbu worked together on this project in a very pleasant and natural way,” said a pleased Project Director. The launch in Sharjah was not only notable due to the client’s absence. The Landing Ship Transport was placed on rails and towed onto a ship lift at the water’s edge. The lift was then lowered until the ship was floating.
The 100-metre long and 16-metre wide vessel has been designed for carrying out amphibious operations whereby it sails from the sea onto the beach.
Since the launch, the shipyard’s next task has been in full swing: the commissioning of the LST 100, including the Harbour Acceptance Tests (HAT). These will be followed by the Sea Acceptance Trials (SAT) in October. Hopefully, these will be as successful as the construction of the ship itself, which, according to Sander, “has proceeded very smoothly” so far.
Although no guests were present at the launch, a Teams video link was used. Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo and Managing Director of Albwardy Damen Sharjah Lars Seistrup gave a speech in which they expressed their satisfaction with the success of the project. The Vice Admiral also complimented the yard on the swift construction of the landing craft.
