Damen Shipyards, together with an Italian partner yard, are building two Stan Patrol 5509-series craft for the Italian Guardia di Finanza.
The Guardia di Finanza is an Italian law enforcement agency that deals with financial crime, including the smuggling of illegal immigrants and narcotics trafficking. According to Damen, the agency currently maintains a fleet of about 250 vessels.
The contract resulted from a European tender. Damen's proposal was chosen "after a long and careful assessment", with the Stan Patrol 5509's well-proved design and performance viewed as key to the bid's success.
"The 5509 is the latest model of Stan-series patrol craft and remains highly in demand," Damen commented.
"The largest vessels to be built so far, these two craft will be built in Italy from a so-called 'Damen Technical Co-operation Package' using a pre-fabricated shipbuilding kit."
The vessels will be put to use in patrolling duties in Italian territorial waters and the Mediterranean Sea. They will be further equipped with rigid inflatable boats in order to provide swift response and flexibility to each unit.
