THE BGT FLEET
The most visible feature of BGT's Nigerianness are the names of its ships — LNG Finima, LNG Bonny, LNG Edo, LNG Rivers, LNG Abuja, LNG Port Harcourt, LNG Delta, LNG Bayelsa, etc.
But its happiest milestone was the coming of age of the Nigerian crew.
On August 6, 2003, an all-Nigerian LNG Bayelsa deck crew sailed with approximately 135,000m3 of Liquefied Natural Gas through Atlantic Ocean water depths in excess of 4,000m amid varying weather conditions and wind forces to deliver her cargo at the Spanish port of Huelva, for Enagas. It was indeed a great day for Nigeria.
NLNG has been pursuing its Nigerianisation Plan vigorously. Significant milestones have been recorded within the BGT Fleet Manning Department where over 60% Nigerianisation has been achieved.
Three Nigerian Masters or Fleet Captains have emerged from this plan. A significant milestone was recorded in the programme in 2001 when 11 Marine Cadets recruited in 1998 graduated. They are now serving as senior and middle level officers on the NLNG fleet.
From 2002 to 2007, 168 cadets completed their training.
BGT now has over 100 Nigerian officers and 377 Nigerian ratings in its employ. The company plans to recruit 400 Nigerian ratings in the next few years.
