The Spanish Navy’s four BAMS patrol ships are designed for endurance, short in length with a wide beam for good seakeeping and possess a relatively high freeboard for safety during boat operations (credit: Navantia SA).
1600ton Otago-class OPVs are based on a proven design from Kvaerner Masa Marine and built at the Williamstown shipyard of BAE Systems Australia. Tese vessels, along with four 55m loa 340ton Rotoiti-class IPVs (built at the former Tenix shipyard in Whangarei, New Zealand), were due to be in service by the end of 2008 but BAE Systems Australia has not yet put the vessels forward for acceptance by the New Zealand Ministry of Defence. Te RNZN needs the OPVs for maritime surveillance in New Zealand’s EEZ and in the Pacific Ocean and the IPVs will operate in coastal waters out to 24nm cooperating with the police, customs, fishing authorities and maritime conservationists. BVT secured a £150 million (US$216.5 million) contract in
April 2007 to build three presence OPVs for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard to increase the island nation’s patrolling capability in the Caribbean Seam, provide increased protection for oil assets and fisheries, and contribute more effectively to anti-drug smuggling operations. Displacing about 2000tons the 90.5m loa OPVs have a 20m loa
flight deck for helicopter operations and can reach a top speed of 25kt. Construction started on the first ship in January 2008 and will be handed over in mid-2009 with the second ship entering the production cycle in mid-2008 and expected for delivery in early 2010. Te final ship will start construction in early 2009 with a delivery date scheduled for late 2010.
War-fighting role Instead of procuring cheap multi-mission patrol ships for a defensive role, some countries have opted for a more powerful warfighting vessel to fulfil a specific naval requirement for an offensive battle-worthy platform. BVT is building three new OPVs for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) under Project Khareef. At almost 99m loa and displacing some 2,500tons these patrol vessels have also been classified as corvettes in some naval circles. Equipped with the Exocet anti-ship missile and the Mica vertical launch air defence system the vessels can play an important role in any conflict situation. Te contract with RNO was signed by VT Group (now BVT Surface Fleet) in January 2007 for £400 million. Construction started on the first ship in October 2007
Ship & Boat International March/April 2009 ECORIZON Concepts in eco-friendliness
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