- Vessel is first of 10 maritime logistics vessels under Navy-SEEPCO partnership
- KALI 3 designed for surveillance, anti-piracy and maritime law enforcement
- Delta Governor says project demonstrates Nigeria’s local technical capacity
The Nigerian Navy has inducted a locally built security patrol vessel as part of efforts to strengthen maritime security, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and support increased crude oil production.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the vessel, identified as SSV-KALI 3, was inducted on Wednesday at Yade Barge, Niger River Bank, Asemoku Jetty, Okpai, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
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The induction followed a strategic partnership between the Nigerian Navy and Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), under which the company will provide 10 private maritime logistics vessels for security operations.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said KALI 3 was the first of the 10 vessels planned under the partnership.
Abbas said the collaboration represented a practical approach to combining private sector investment with the Navy’s statutory responsibility to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to him, SEEPCO will provide the vessels while the Nigerian Navy will deploy personnel aboard them to support maritime security operations.
“As the first of 10 planned vessels, KALI 3 is expected to drive the translation of this partnership from strategic intent into operational capability,” he said.
The vessel was fabricated by Yade Barge Operations Limited at the Asemoku Jetty in Delta State. It was designed to conduct coastal and sea surveillance, interdiction operations, anti-piracy activities and maritime law enforcement.
The Chief of Naval Staff said the partnership was particularly significant because Nigeria’s offshore waters contain critical energy infrastructure whose disruption could negatively affect government revenue, investor confidence and national development.
He said the induction came as the Navy intensifies operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes under Operation Delta Sentinel, which was launched in January 2026.
Abbas noted that sustained surveillance, patrols, interdiction operations and cooperation with other security agencies had helped restrict criminal networks and improve security along oil production corridors.
He stressed that private investment could only thrive in an environment where security and regulatory certainty were guaranteed.
“Private investment cannot flourish without security, regulatory certainty and freedom from criminal interference,” he said, adding that the Navy remained willing to work with responsible private sector partners to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests and critical economic assets.
Also speaking, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, described the vessel’s induction as an important development for SEEPCO, Delta State and Nigeria.
The governor said the project demonstrated the country’s growing indigenous capacity and the importance of collaboration between government security agencies and the private sector.
Oborevwori expressed pride that KALI 3 was designed and built in Delta State, saying it reflected the state’s human capital, technical expertise and industrial potential.
He said the vessel would strengthen maritime security, protect oil and gas facilities and support efforts to tackle crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes.
The governor also reaffirmed Delta State’s commitment to supporting investors and security agencies in creating a stable environment for businesses to operate and thrive.
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