Damen Shipyards Cape Town has been awarded the contract to build the first of three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels for the South African Navy’s Bio initiative.
The vessels will be used to combat potential maritime threats such as illegal trafficking, fishing and piracy.
Damen managing director Jaap de Lange said 60% of the project procurement would be done locally with over 1000 direct and indirect jobs created.
The contract was awarded by Armscor – the acquisition agency for the SA Department of Defence.
According to De Lange, the first vessel will be delivered in July 2021.