After over five decades of its involvement in crude oil and gas exploration without involving in crude oil transportation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has signed a joint venture agreement with Daewoo Ship-building and Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea, to establish a world class shipping company which will be involved in crude oil transportation.

Already, $10 million has been released as the initial capital for the joint venture business, which would be called Nigera-Daewoo Shipping Ltd (NIDAS). The NNPC will aquire a controlling equity interest of 51 per cent, while DSME will have 49 per cent . A release signed by Dr Levi Ajuonuma, General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, stated that the scope of NIDAS will be local and international marine transportaion of merchant goods, crude oil and petroleum products. The joint venture, he said, will have an offshore office, which would be responsible for vessle operations and logistics. The statement, which was made available to THISDAY at the weekend reads, "the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea have signed a joint venture agreement to establish a world class shipping company. The shipping joint venture company will be called Nigeria Daewoo Shipping Ltd. (NIDAS). Source: This Day