Procured by ARMSCOR for the South African Navy, the first of the three patrol vessels was launched on 25 March. Credit: Damen Shipyards Group.

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has launched the South African Navy (SAN)’s first multi-mission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV).

The 600t vessel was transported from the DSCT shipyard to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) synchrolift at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Basin.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

South African arms procurement agency ARMSCOR is procuring a total of three MMIPVs for the SAN’s Project BIRO.

Project BIRO aims to develop maritime security and ensure that the country can respond effectively, quickly and cost-effectively to piracy and illegal fishing, among other maritime threats.

The multi-mission inshore patrol vessels are the ‘first Sea Axe vessels’ to operate in South Africa and will ‘augment’ maritime security.

In 2018, DSCT secured an order for the delivery of three inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) as part of Project Biro.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The construction of the three MMIPVs is expected to see an investment of over one million man-hours of work.

Built according to the patented Damen Axe Bow design, the MMIPVs ensure ‘low resistance, high sustained speed in waves and superior sea keeping characteristics’ in complex conditions.

The MMIPV is based on the technology of Damen’s standardised range of patrol boats, which includes a 10m interceptor, 50m patrol vessels, and 140m frigates.

DSCT HR and transformation manager Eva Moloi said: “Our local skills transfer and Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) initiatives mean that we are not only contributing to the South African economy but ensuring that our local South African maritime market is less reliant on imports from international suppliers.

“DSCT fully supports the transfer of technology, inclusion of local companies in the execution projects, and stimulation of export transactions under the Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) programme, which particularly focuses on benefiting SMMEs, Military Veteran (MV) Owned Entities and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Compliant Entities.

“The partnerships formed during this project have led to the successful launch of the MMIPV. One can truly state that the MMIPVs have been built in South Africa, by South Africans for South Africa.”

DSCT laid the keel for the second of three MMIPVs last September.