Yemisi Izuora
Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited (HIOSL) is set to take delivery of its second Damen Fast Crew Supplier 3307 Patrol.
The is coming eighteen months after a sister vessel entered service in the Nigerian offshore market.
Established in 2006, HIOSL serves the Nigerian oil and gas industry with a range of maritime, security and logistics services.
Currently undergoing sea trials in Singapore, Guardian 2 is expected to be directly employed when she arrives in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in December. HIOSL will then have five patrol vessels in its fleet.
HIOSL Managing Director Louis Ekere, stressed, “We have had very positive experiences with our first Damen FCS 3307 Patrol – Guardian 1. She has been engaged since day one, working on behalf of the international oil companies (IOCs).”
Guardian 1 has largely been carrying out security patrol services for the IOCs, working alongside the Nigerian Navy, as well as transferring crew and supplies.
“Guardian 1 is definitely the best vessel in the field in terms of speed and intervention abilities,” Ekere said.
“Furthermore, with her unique Damen Sea Axe hull, she has fantastic seakeeping ability and still provides efficient fuel economy, even in rough terrain.”
“We chose Damen again for a number of reasons, one of which is the reliability of the vessel,” Ekere explained. “This patrol vessel is an excellent business model.
She is robust, fast, with the required speed to intercept in critical situations. Our principals, the IOCs, have also been impressed.
Damen’s speed of delivery was also another important factor. In addition, we are very pleased with the level of professionalism and after sales services at Damen.”
After sales support is provided by Damen’s new service hub, which was opened in Port Harcourt in early 2015. Martin Verstraaten, Damen Regional Service Manager Africa, said,
“The decision to establish the service hub ensures local presence, quick response times, field service engineers and a local site manager on the ground. This dynamic team has close contact with local repair facilities, cooperation with local suppliers and builds up a strong relationship with our customers.”
HIOSL already has plans for a Guardian No. 3 and No. 4, with the further additions likely in the first half of 2016. As well as patrol vessels, HIOSL is considering expanding its fleet with platform supply vessels (PSVs).
According to Ekere, “This will take our company to the next level. We strive to ensure we deliver on our promises to the IOCs in terms of safety, reliability and effectiveness. We also want to make sure we are delivering what the IOCs require and this is one reason we want to work with highly experienced companies like Damen.
The IOCs know that we are a professional, well-managed organization, offering excellent service. And even though the oil price has dipped, oil companies are still keen to explore and develop.”
“We are on track with our own strategic expansion,” Ekere said. “We try not to overreach ourselves and acquire assets on a speculative basis. As soon as Guardian 2 is registered in Nigeria, she will be out to work.”
As part of the contract, Damen provides five days of training, but HIOSL was also keen for additional training options. “This extra training would help the crew make sure the vessel performs to its optimal level and realizes its full lifespan,” Ekere explained.
In addition to patrol vessels and tugs, HIOSL provides equipment to the IOCs, supplies house boats, barges and cranes and the company operates one of the largest crawler cranes in Nigeria. With offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri, HIOSL has a core staff of approximately 100 and a total of 400.