Bangladeshi shipbuilder Western Marine Shipyard (WMS) has launched the offshore patrol vessel MV Doria for Kenya’s Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture.
Western Marine Shipyard earlier this week said the launch took place on 4 May at Karnaphuli River, Chittagong. The ceremony was attended by officials from Bangladesh’s shipbuilding sector, the Bangladeshi Navy and Kenyan and Danish government officials.
Kenya ordered the vessel on 23 January 2014 from Denmark’s JGH Marine, which contracted WMS to build it. Design was undertaken by South Africa’s Icarus Marine. Kenyan media report the contract as being worth Sh3.5 billion ($33 million).
MV Doria’s keel was laid in August 2014, and the hull completed in December 2015. Delivery to Kenya is scheduled for July 2017 when it will be used to secure the East African country’s maritime resources and undertake humanitarian assistance missions.
According to WMS, the vessel is 54.7 metres long, and displaces 350 tons empty. Cruising speed is 20-25 knots and top speed is 35 knots with a range 1 500 nautical miles and fuel consumption of 3.6 tons a day. The vessel has 12 crew and can take 60 passengers. A helicopter deck on the back of the vessel can accommodate a five ton helicopter.
The vessel is powered by three MTU engines driving two propellers and a waterjet. The propeller engines produce 4 000 kW of power and the waterjet engine 2 720 kW.
Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard Md Sakhawat Hossain said the country has exported 25 ships. MV Doria is its first offshore patrol vessel.
