GEAR | Taiwanese Coast Guard’s newest 600-tonne patrol boat powered by HamiltonJet

Anping, a 600-tonne class catamaran commissioned for the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA), is nearing completion.

Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Group expects the vessel to be completed in October 2020 ready for sea trials before being deployed for protection and fishing control rights in the southern waters.

Powering the vessel are four MTU engines with a combined total power of over 15,000 kW and quad HT900s waterjets from HamiltonJet, operated using HamiltonJet’s Modular Electronic Control System. The HT900s waterjets feature a mixed-flow pump that provides high efficiency at medium to high speeds and retains the high thrust at zero speed required for dynamic positioning in high sea states.

The expected top speed of this vessel is 35 knots compared to 30 knots for a current 600-tonne craft.

The design is based on the Tuo Jiang-class stealth missile corvette in service with the Republic of China Navy (RoCN). Anping carries a high-pressure water cannon which can convert to carrying anti-ship missiles in wartime.

The Tuo Jiang-class features an advanced optimised catamaran design configuration to enable smooth operations in harsh sea conditions.

The launch of Anping marks the first of a potential new fleet of 12 TCGA 600-tonne patrol vessels.

See all the other news, reviews and features of this month’s Marine Engines and Propulsion Systems Week right here.