"River Niger" Docks in Port Louis

The bustling Port Louis harbour was treated to a spectacular sight this past week as the LNG River Niger, a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, anchored at the outer harbour. The vessel arrived at 08:38 hrs on 25 May and departed at 08:35 hrs on 30 May, completing a five-day stay marked by vital logistical and operational activities. Built in 2006 and sailing under the flag of Bermuda, the River Niger is recognized internationally as a large LNG carrier.

Spectacular LNG Carrier "River Niger" Docks in Port Louis for Key Operations

With a commanding length of 288 meters and a beam spanning 48.06 meters, the River Niger represents a striking feat of engineering. Its three spherical cargo tanks, designed to keep LNG at ultra-low temperatures, give the vessel a distinctive silhouette that drew admiration from onlookers to maritime enthusiasts alike. These ships play a crucial role in the global energy supply chain by transporting natural gas in its liquefied state across vast ocean distances.

However, during this stopover, the vessel was not on a commercial delivery run but called at Port Louis primarily for operational support. The River Niger underwent a crew change, took on new provisions, conducted routine maintenance work and renewed its ship sanitary certificate. In addition, essential spare parts were loaded onboard to ensure that the vessel remains fully equipped for the next leg of its journey.

 As the River Niger departed the port this morning, it left a sense of awe and a reminder of Mauritius’ growing importance in international maritime logistics. Port Louis continues to reinforce its reputation as a strategic maritime hub in the Indian Ocean. In this way, hosting vessels of this calibre speaks volumes about the port’s infrastructure and capacity to cater to the evolving needs of global shipping.