Our History
From humble beginnings to industry leadership: The Naval Dockyard story
Our Beginning
In 1965, the Federal Government of Nigeria acquired the Elder Dempster Lines Shipyard and transferred it to the Nigerian Navy, marking the origin of what would become the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL). Initially built to support ship repairs and maintenance for naval operations, the facility was officially commissioned in 1969 as the Nigerian Naval Dockyard (NND).
Our vision is to be a quality-oriented organization that harnesses key competencies to reduce Nigerian vessels’ dependence on foreign shipyards. We aim to provide sustainable, innovative product solutions for the shipbuilding and maintenance market, serving both military and merchant maritime sectors, as we stand as a formidable stakeholder in Nigeria's Blue Economy initiative.
Our Journey
Acquisition of Elder Dempster Shipyard
The Federal Government of Nigeria acquires the Elder Dempster Lines Shipyard and hands it over to the Nigerian Navy as part of a strategic initiative to build local naval capability.
Upgrade of Nigerian Naval Dockyard
The facility was officially commissioned as the Nigerian Naval Dockyard, providing ship repairs and limited shipbuilding services for the Nigerian Navy.
Feasibility Study for Expansion
A Nigerian consultancy firm was commissioned to conduct feasibility studies to expand the Dockyard's capabilities beyond 200-ton crafts.
Commisioning of Major Facilities
Upgraded facilities were commissioned to handle vessels of up to 10,000 tons, significantly improving in-country maintenance capacity.
Activation of Twin Docks
Twin docks designed to handle vessels up to 250-ton commences full-scale operations, significantly improving operational capabilities.
Incorporated as a Limited Liability Company
The dockyard was incorporated as a Limited Liability Company to enhance its merchant operations and industry competitiveness.
Developments & Innovations
NDL has built naval vessels, tugboats and barges for the Nigerian Navy and private sector and leads in metal fabrications for marine construction, oil & gas and telecoms.
Naval Dockyard Today
Today, Naval Dockyard Limited stands as a premier maritime engineering facility in West Africa, providing top-tier services in construction, maintenance and ship repair. With a highly skilled workforce and Modern equipment, the Yard caters for the Nigerian Navy and a growing list of merchant clients in the maritime, oil and gas sectors.
Looking ahead, NDL is committed to expanding its global footprint by partnering with international shipbuilding firms. This will boost funding, technology transfer and capacity building—positioning NDL as one of the global players in the shipbuilding and repair industry while supporting Nigeria's Blue Economy and maritime security goals.
Our Achievements
Key milestones and recognitions throughout our history
Naval Vessels
Successfully built and maintained naval vessels, tugboats and barges for the Nigerian Navy.
Merchant Ships
Executed repair and refit services for a wide range of merchant and offshore support vessels.
Industry Recognition
Earned reputation as a key player in West Africa’s maritime industry with several industry accolades.
Safety Record
Upheld an excellent safety record with rigorous standards in operational and workplace safety.