By Innocent Orok
NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) has announced significant progress in providing sea time opportunities for Nigerian cadets, revealing that it has trained nearly 300 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) and employed 100 of them.
The Managing Director of NSML , Abdulkadir Ahmed, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, where the company also unveiled its new logo.
Ahmed noted that despite the shortage of sea -going vessels limiting sea berth availability, NSML remains committed to expanding opportunities for Nigerian cadets to gain seatime.
He said “Nearly 300 NSDP cadets have sailed on NSML vessels, with 200 completing their certifications, and 100 have been employed within NSML.
“The challenge of sea berth is a global challenge, but more so in Nigeria because we are a growing industry in terms of shipping, the number of vessels that are sea going are limited. We are looking at more opportunities to provide additional berth spaces so that we can even take a bit more. ”
In addition to its cadet training efforts, the NSML boss reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the development of a reputable Nigerian ship registry.
On the company’s plan to utilise the nation’s ship registry, Ahmed emphasized the importance of creating a registry that meets international standards and gains global acceptance.
“The goal is beyond just simply registering a vessel in the registry. The whole essence of a registry is that we want that registry to be acceptable internationally, such that vessels registered on that registry can actually traverse the world and be accepted.
“In the next few weeks or months, we expect to see the changes because we have been engaging NIMASA. I know for a fact that the DG of NIMASA is very committed to that aspect, and all the meetings that we’ve had, he has expressed that desire to ensure that the Nigerian registry comes to light, but not just simply to come to light, but comes to light in a manner that makes it acceptable internationally. And we are supporting that.”
Ahmed also commended the improved maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, attributing it to the success of NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project.
He emphasized the need for sustained efforts to maintain the improved security environment as the situation could change.
“We really want to commend NIMASA for what they have done in terms of the Deep Blue Project because it has really enhanced security within the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
Speaking on the company’s new logo, Ahmed said the updated visual identity reflected a closer alignment with the NLNG Group’s rebranding project, which started with the rebranding of NLNG in 2024.
He said the new logo reinforced NSML’s commitment to collaborative success, excellence, and sustainability in the maritime sector.
The new logo features an “advanced swivel” in green, lemon and blue colours.
The swivel symbolises NSML’s agility, evolution, and growing role as a world-class provider of integrated maritime services.
As a member of the NLNG group, the design also reflects NSML’s vital role in connecting energy production with global markets.
