Sahara-Gas Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On January 2, 2020, the US Coast Guard alongside the crew of the LPG tanker 'Sahara Gas' successfully rescued two mariners from the sailing vessel 'Rhapsody', which was rendered inoperable due to an engine room fire. The incident occurred approximately 288 miles east-southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. The alarm was raised when watchstanders at the Eighth Coast Guard District received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert at 2:13 a.m. Promptly, they dispatched an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi and redirected the 'Sahara Gas' to investigate the distress signal. Upon arrival, the tanker reported the presence of two individuals aboard the 37-foot 'Rhapsody', but conditions prevented them from deploying a lifeboat due to rough seas with waves reaching up to 10 feet. As the situation worsened, the Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Houston to perform a hoist operation, supplemented by another HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew providing crucial communication support. At 12:42 p.m., the helicopter successfully hoisted the mariners to safety and transferred them to Air Station Houston. For a detailed report and photo, visit the Coast Guard News website.

West Africa Gas Limited (WAGL), a prominent energy entity backed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Oceanbed, part of the Sahara Group, has made significant strides towards its goal of becoming a fully-integrated energy provider. The company has successfully ordered and completed the construction of its first Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessels, marking a historic milestone as the first energy firm in Africa to achieve this feat. This strategic move not only diversifies WAGL's operations but also bolsters its position in the energy sector. The first of these vessels, constructed at the Hyundai Mipo Shipyard, was commissioned in May 2014, and boasts a capacity of 38,000 cubic metres (cbm) for transporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Officially named MT Africa Gas, the vessel recently made its inaugural voyage from South Korea to the Tema Port in Ghana. As excitement builds, the second vessel, MT Sahara Gas, is anticipated to dock in West Africa in the near future. Roland Omoreegbe, Managing Director of WAGL, expressed optimism regarding the acquisition, stating that this development aligns with WAGL’s vision of becoming the leading gas provider on the continent. He emphasized, "Our decision to acquire these vessels demonstrates clearly our commitment to serve the energy needs of all classes of consumers in Africa and beyond." He further highlighted the strategic importance of this investment, underscoring WAGL's dedication to fulfilling energy requirements across the continent and globally. Presently, WAGL holds a Gas Sale Agreement with the Government of Ghana to supply 180,000 standard cubic feet of gas. Concurrently, construction at the Tema port is underway to enable the reception of the first gas for thermal plants located in the Tema energy enclave, which includes the development of a jetty and dredging of a channel. This comprehensive initiative reflects WAGL's commitment to enhancing energy access and stability in the region.