Fincantieri: at Muggiano, the work of the first patrol boat for Qatar starts

(To Fincantieri)
27/02/19

The ceremony for the sheet metal cutting of the first patrol vessel (OPV) took place today at the Muggiano plant (La Spezia) Offshore Patrol Vessel), commissioned to Fincantieri by the Ministry of Defense of Qatar as part of the national naval acquisition program.

In the awarding of this prestigious contract, Fincantieri prevailed over the other competitors thanks to a project considered to be the most advanced and innovative and the experience gained in the construction of ships hi-tech.

The contract, which for Fincantieri is worth almost 4 billion, provides for the supply of seven surface vessels, including four corvettes, an amphibious ship (LPD - Landing Platform Dock) and two patrollers (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) and support services in Qatar for an additional 10 years after delivery of the units. All the ships will be built entirely in the Group's Italian shipyards.

The first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), whose first sheet was cut today, was designed in accordance with the RINAMIL for Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and will be a highly flexible unit with the ability to perform multiple tasks ranging from patrolling to the role of a combat ship.

It will have a length of about 63 meters, a width of 9,2 meters, a maximum speed of 30 nodes, and will accommodate crew members on board 38. The propulsion system has four variable pitch propellers, two to starboard and two to the left, each in line with a diesel propulsion engine. In addition, the unit will be able to use an RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat), boarded by an aft crane.