MMEA offshore patrol vessels expected in 2020 still being built

MMEA offshore patrol vessels expected in 2020 still being built

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Zubil Mat Som says the pandemic had contributed to the late delivery.

Three new offshore patrol vessels, that will beef up MMEA’s fleet, are under construction in Pulau Indah, Selangor. (File pic)
PUTRAJAYA:
Three offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) that should have been handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in 2020 are still under construction.

MMEA director-general Zubil Mat Som said the OPVs were being built by a local company, THHE Destini Sdn Bhd, in Pulau Indah, Selangor.

“The Covid-19 pandemic in the country had contributed to the delay in the delivery of the vessels to MMEA,” he said in a statement today.

Zubil said the launch of OPV 1, which had been scheduled today, could not be carried out because it could not be brought to the location yet.

As such, he said, the launch had been rescheduled to Oct 10 using the “air balloon” system, instead of a cradle launch.

“If everything goes smoothly and the launch can be done on that date, there is a big chance that OPV 1 will be handed over to MMEA in early 2023,” he said.

OPV 2 and OPV 3 would be handed over in stages.

“The three OPVs are much needed by MMEA for it to enforce laws in the country’s waters,” he said.

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