Dearsan Shipyard - Offshore Patrol Vessel OPV 76
The ships of the OPV 76 project has a total displacement of 1200 tons, the maximum length is 76.6 m, width is 11 m, draft is 2.9 m. The power plant is a two-shaft diesel, includes four MAN 18VP185 diesel engines (manufactured by MAN UK - actually the former British company Paxman) with a maximum capacity of 5,500 hp. The maximum speed is 28 knots, the cruising range is 3,000 miles. The crew is 43 people. The ship armament may include the new Leonardo OTO Marlin 40 40-mm artillery installation, an aft remotely controlled artillery installation (presumably 25 or 30 mm caliber) and two machine-gun installations. The ship has a landing pad for a medium helicopter.
The Nigerian Navy signed a contract 03 November 2021 with the Turkish company Dearsan Shipyard Limited for the purchase of two brand new Offshore Patrol Vessels. The vessels were expected to be completed within 37 months. The event was graced by principal staff officers of the Naval Headquarters and representatives from Dearsan Shipyard Limited. Judging by the photos from the signing ceremony, the contract was signed for the construction of two 76-meter patrol ships of Dearsan Shipyard's own OPV 76 project, which became the first known order of ships of this type.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo recalled that Nigerian Navy has in the last couple of months brought to bear her dominant status in the region by sustaining an aggressive presence in the nation’s maritime environment, leading to drastic reduction in acts of criminality in the domain. This development he added has been acknowledged by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its Global Piracy Report of 14 July 2021, indicating the lowest total of piracy and armed attacks against ships in 27 years. According to the CNS, this report was corroborated by the Defence Web maritime security report of 15 October 2021 which noted further decline in reported cases of piracy and armed attacks against shipping in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), a development he attributed to the impact of NN maritime security operations efforts.
Admiral Gambo stated that the contract signing ceremony was another milestone achievement by the Nigerian Navy in her fleet renewal effort towards realizing her 2021-2030 Strategic Plan and expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support and goodwill towards the Nigerian Navy. The CNS also recalled that on the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Nigerian Navy hosted the Chief of the Ghana Navy to discuss collaborative efforts to combat piracy and other maritime crimes in the GoG and during the meeting, it was agreed that there was a need to establish a standing ECOWAS Multinational Task Force in the GoG.
Pertinently, to sustain the upwards trajectory of the NN’s operational engagements and actively participate in the proposed Task Force, the CNS informed that the President granted approval for the NN to procure 2 High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels with the capability to carry out maritime interdiction operations, surveillance and special forces operations as well as provide naval fire support to land forces. ”The OPVs will also be capable of conducting search and rescue operations, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking operations and disaster relief operations among others”.
Admiral Gambo further revealed that the process of selecting a shipyard capable of constructing the OPVs began in earnest and Dearsan Shipyard Limited was selected based on its track record and the conviction that the shipyard would be able to construct a platform that could be deployed as an OPV in peacetime, while having the capability and flexibility to be quickly outfitted with sensors and weapons to re-role the platform for warfare and maritime defence purposes, at a cost effective price. According to him, today was a remarkable day as it marked the consummation of relationship between the NN and Messrs Dearsan which is hoped would lead to more fruitful engagements between Nigeria and Turkey in the future.
While responding, the Chief Executive Officer of Dearsan Shipyard, Murat Gordi appreciated the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Government for the confidence placed on their company to construct the Offshore Patrol Vessels. He further assured that the company would reciprocate by building the best in class vessel for the Nigerian Navy and ensure the contract is faithfully executed to deliver true value for money. Gordi added that this project will further strengthen ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Turkey through the provision of added value in technological transfer and expertise.
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