Philippine Coast Guard to get its biggest patrol ships

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has concluded an agreement with the Republic of the Philippines to construct two multi-role response vessels (MRRVs).

These vessels will be built at Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works and are scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Coast Guard in 2022.

With a length of about 94 meters, the MRRVs will have a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles.

Both vessels will be equipped with secured communication systems for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, helideck and a hangar for helicopter operations, an underwater remotely operated vehicle for subsurface search and survey, and high-speed rubber boats. They are expected to contribute significantly to enhancing the speed of response to maritime accidents or crimes on the high seas.

The newly agreed MRRVs will be provided as a project financed by the Japanese government. The program corresponds to Phase II of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project concluded between the Republic of the Philippines and the Japanese government in October 2016.

“The modernization of Philippine Coast Guard has been going fast and quick and very meaningful. In fact, in this effort to make it quick, fast, and very meaningful, the government of Japan has contributed very much,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said on the occasion of contract signing last month.

“We are making a milestone, not just for the Department of Transportation and Philippine Coast Guard, but also for the Philippines – acquiring the first-ever biggest ship for the Coast Guard,” PCG Commandant Admiral Joel Garcia added.

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