The Nigerian Navy has launched an indigenously built ferry, the Sauka Lafia, which can transport 150 passengers.

Chief of naval staff vice admiral Ishaya Ibraham said the Sauka Lafia was the first such ship designed and built by staff of the Nigerian Navy Shipyard, Port Harcourt.

“The ferry, being an auxiliary vessel was designed for inland water transportation, with a single flush deck from the forecastle to the quarter deck, and can accommodate 150 passengers,” he said.

The ferry would be used in the Niger Delta, Lagos and other coastal and inland water areas to transport navy personnel from the naval base to town.

The construction of Sauka Lafia was completed in 12 months and the ship is expected to have a life span of 20 years under effective maintenance.