Guyana orders patrol vessel from French builder

The Government of Guyana has selected French shipbuilder OCEA for the construction of a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for operation by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The vessel will have an aluminium hull, a length of 58 metres, space for 24 crewmembers and up to 30 additional personnel, a maximum speed of 30 knots, and a range of over 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots. A maximum endurance of 21 days is possible.

Missions will include maritime surveillance, counter-smuggling and counter-piracy patrols, sea control, search and rescue, disaster relief, environmental protection, pollution response, and dive support.

The GDF OPV will be supplied under a contract worth approximately €39.5 million (US$42 million).