Gama Ship Repair carries out tanker conversion project in Nigeria

Gama Ship Repair, a UAE-based company, is undertaking an oil tanker to bitumen tanker conversion project in Lagos, Nigeria, extending work traditionally carried out at its UAE facilities to a remote project site. The conversion involves extensive modifications to prepare the vessel for bitumen transport, including the fabrication and installation of approximately 9,600m of piping, together with heating coils and associated mechanical and structural upgrades. Such systems are critical for maintaining the elevated temperatures required to handle bitumen cargo safely and efficiently.

The project is being executed by a team mobilised to Nigeria, requiring the coordination of manpower, equipment and materials outside the company's home shipyard network. In addition to the technical work, the project involves managing procurement, logistics and day-to-day operations in a new operating environment.

According to Gama Ship Repair, work is progressing in line with the planned schedule and project milestones are being achieved as targeted.

Oil tanker to bitumen tanker conversions have become a recurring feature of the tanker market, enabling owners to repurpose existing tonnage for the specialised bitumen trade rather than investing in new vessels. Such projects typically require significant modifications to cargo systems, heating arrangements and pipework to accommodate the handling characteristics of bitumen.

The Lagos project draws on experience gained through previous tanker conversion programmes undertaken by the company. By deploying personnel and resources directly to the vessel's location, the contractor is seeking to deliver a full conversion package without requiring the ship to enter a dedicated UAE shipyard facility.