The Japanese shipyard Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has ordered the first 94-meter-long ship from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Shimonoseki Shipyard and Jiangpu Plant of Machinery. The Multi-Purpose Response Vessel (MRRV) worked in Yamaguchi Prefecture on July 26.
The leading MRRV is one of two large Coast Guard patrol vessels ordered by the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) under a contract worth US$132 million in 2019.
“This [MRRVs] Able to conduct continuous maritime patrols [our] DoTR said in a statement on July 26, adding that the two ships will greatly enhance PCG’s maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The ship originated from the National Headquarters of the Japanese Coast Guard. Once it is put into use, it will become the largest ship operated by PCG. It has an endurance of approximately 4,000 nautical miles at cruising speed, but can reach a maximum speed of more than 24 knots.
“[The vessel] Equipped with a security communication system for exclusive economic zone surveillance, helipads and hangars for helicopter operations, underwater remote-controlled vehicles for underwater search and surveys, high-speed ships, and other maritime awareness and law enforcement operations Basic equipment,” Mitsubishi Shipbuilding issued a statement.
The first MRRV is expected to arrive in Manila in March 2022, while the second is scheduled to be handed over in about two months.
The second phase of the maritime safety capability improvement project completed between Manila and Tokyo in October 2016 provided funding for these two MRRVs. The plan, in turn, is funded by official development assistance loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
PCG also deployed 10 44-meter Parola-class MRRVs built by the Japan Marine Union Corporation (JMUC) Yokohama Shipyard. These are also based on the Bizan-class patrol ships designed by the Japanese Coast Guard.
Xiao Wu
