Japanese shipping company appoints Nigerian as captain for LNG carrier

Japan’s shipping giant NYK said it has appointed Tanko Olanrewaju Usman as the first Nigerian captain of one of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

The vessel in question is the 2007-built 149,600-cbm, LNG Ogun, that is serving a long-time charter with producer Nigeria LNG.

“The development and advancement of Nigerian seafarers is a shared commitment by both Nigeria LNG and NYK in line with NLNG’s Nigerianisation journey,” NYK said in a statement issued recently.

Captain Usman has been a deck officer on board LNG carriers operated and managed by subsidiaries within the NYK group since 2007.

Expressing his delight, Captain Olanrewaju Usman stated that, “I’m happy and excited to be promoted to a Captain.

“The journey to being a captain has been interesting as well as challenging. Looking back to when I started as a cadet with NYK, I am filled with immense gratitude for how far I have come. NYK has provided me with a good working environment for a progressive sea career for which I’m very grateful.”

Back in 2021, NYK also appointed its first Indonesian captain, as well as its first Indonesian chief engineer of one of its LNG carriers.

“NYK has been promoting the training of seafarers, regardless of nationality and the promotion of a chief officer to the rank of captain is a tangible result of NYK’s efforts to support the appointment of senior management to high-risk vessels,” the firm said.

NYK LNG Ship management is one of the world’s largest operators of LNG carriers. As of December 2022, the company has 61 vessels in its fleet with 31 ship under direct management, according to its website