The Government of Bahamas has placed an order for nine new vessels to be built by Dutch shipbuilding group, Damen Shipyards.
Under the contract, signed on March 18th, Damen will deliver four Stan Patrol 4207 vessels; four Stan Patrol 3007 vessels; nine Rigid Inflatable boats and one Damen Roll-on Roll-off Landing Craft.
Commenting the order, Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said: “ The pressing priorities of the country happen to concern coverage of 100,000 square miles of water that make up the Commonwealth of The Bahamas . We have illegal human migration as a major challenge to our country, the consequence of which is enormous in terms of the implications to the future well-being of our country. Therefore, there must be no compromise of the capacity of the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to put itself in a position, notwithstanding help from its allies, the United States of America ”.
In addition to the acquisition of the nine ships, the contracts with Damen Shipyards include the upgrade of two Bahama class vehicles and the establishment of training facilities and acquisition of a Bridge Simulator.
Furthermore, the Government executed a contract for Port Infrastructural works (both marine and shore side) at Coral Harbour (New Providence), Gun Point (Ragged Island) and Mathew Town (Great Inagua).
“ Damen Shipyards has teamed with Van Oord, an international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects, to execute the civil works components of these services, ” said M inister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Bernard J. Nottage . “ Much of the works to be undertaken by Van Oord will be subcontracted to local partners in order to stimulate employment in this area.”
The price of the shipbuilding portion of the contract is approx $149 million, while the civil works will cost around $75 million.
The first vessel, Her Majesty Dion Hanna is slated for delivery in June.
[mappress] bahamas.gov, March 21, 2014