31 May 2014: On the 23rd of January 2014 Western Marine signed a contract with JGH Marine A/S of Denmark to build & deliver one Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). This project shall mark as one of the greatest achievement of the entire shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh as it will be an advanced ship which never been built by any other shipyard in Bangladesh earlier. The said vessel shall be supplied to the Kenyan Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock & Agriculture by JGH Marine A/S.
The design for the OPV is being developed by Western Marine together with a South African design firm Icarus Marine Pty Ltd. who specialize in design of OPVs & high speed crafts. Further the vessel will be built under Class Bureau Veritas.
The 55m OPV is being designed to sail at a maximum speed of 35 knots. The propulsion system is robust hybrid propulsion system comprising of controllable pitch propeller & water jet system. The ship will operate over a range of more than 1,500 Nautical Miles in the Indian Ocean of East Africa to ensure the safety of Kenyan flagged Fishing Vessels. Further, the OPV will be equipped with fully automatic controlled & electromagnetically compatible equipment. She will have a helipad to facilitate the landing & takeoff of 5 tones helicopter.
