Construction begins on 4,000-tonne patrol vessel for Taiwan Coast Guard

Taiwan News reports that construction has begun on a new heavy patrol vessel ordered by the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration from local shipbuilder CSBC Corporation.

The vessel will have a displacement of approximately 4,000 tonnes and a helicopter pad for accommodating UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters operated by the Taiwanese Navy and the Taiwan Ministry of Interior.

Completion and delivery are expected by late 2020 in time for the vessel’s planned entry into service in 2021.

Three other ships from the same series will be built and delivered to the coast guard by 2027.