The landscape of Nigeria’s logistics market has been transformed by the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL, or ‘the Base’). This international ship and port facility security (ISPS) certified free zone was developed opposite the Port of Apapa in Lagos to serve the needs of the country’s deep water offshore oil and gas sector.
With construction investments of over $100 million (the location was converted from swampland) LADOL Free Zone, which is wholly Nigerian, is the first and only facility of its kind in Lagos and meets all logistical requirements of clients through its onshore and offshore logistics support, facilities, purpose-built structures and machinery.
“Nigeria has Africa’s biggest population and is a large consumer market,” says Dr Amy Jadesimi, LADOL’s Managing Director, noting that the Base is therefore well placed to become a hub for the maritime industry. “LADOL is ahead of the market, a local content champion and a competitive alternative to servicing the needs of oil and gas companies. As the market is still grossly underserved, this translates into vast growth potential,” Dr Jadesimi adds.
Fully integrated, independent and secure, the LADOL Base is anchored around a 1,000m quay and covers logistical services from stevedoring, fabrication and assembly yards to bunkering of fuel and water, facilities for the supply of bulk materials, a helicopter base, storage facilities and sewage and waste treatment. Medical services, potable water, accommodation and recreation facilities are also available to clients.
“International companies such as Nobel Drilling and Transocean came to LADOL for huge drilling repairs and we have satisfied our clients. The board of LADOL has a track record and a lot of credibility, which has set a tone for the industry,” notes Dr Jadesimi.
Quick service is also a key focus at LADOL, she adds, as any downtime in these large companies equals a loss of money.
By ensuring that companies benefiting from Nigeria’s deep offshore oil and gas reserves utilise Nigerian facilities such as those at the Base, LADOL also helps to create jobs for locals, ensure training and enable knowledge and technology transfer into Nigeria.
“LADOL is setting a benchmark for indigenous investment,” Dr Jadesimi says, describing the facility’s extensive Nigerian investments and breadth of local knowledge. “[By investing all our money] we make it attractive to foreign direct investment as well.”
To support its logistical and engineering operations, LADOL has formed partnerships with leading Nigerian and international service providers such as Amber Resources, Caverton Helicopters, Hygeia Healthcare and HMO and Samsung Heavy Industries.
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