“This is the culmination of three years of hard work by a dedicated team of people. Ultimately, more than one million man-hours of work will be invested in the construction of the three MMIPVs,” stated Ian Stewart, DSCT Project Manager.

South Africa's maritime security will be strengthened by the vessels' ability to respond efficiently, quickly, and cost-effectively to threats such as illegal trafficking and fishing.

On the evening of March 23, 2021, the more than 600-ton vessel was transported from the DSCT shipyard to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) synchrolift at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Basin. Mammoet South Africa carried out the transfer with 48 axle lines of SelfPropelled Mobile Transporters (SPMTs).

After raising the vessel onto the synchrolift, the team waited for high tide to come in before pushing it out of the V&A Basin and into the Elliot Bason with the help of TNPA tugs.

The ship's systems will now be tested before it is formally shipped to ARMSCOR/SAN, which is expected to happen before the end of the year.

The MMIPVs are designed using the proprietary DAMEN Axe Bow design, which ensures low resistance, high sustained speed in waves, and superior sea keeping characteristics in even the most challenging conditions.

Since vertical accelerations are decreased and bow slamming is almost removed, the vessel's and crew's protection improves significantly, lowering operational risks. Divers, search and rescue, and anti-piracy operations are all assisted by the multi-mission deck.

Maritime Business World