Damen Launches Next-Gen OPV 2600 for Pakistan Navy: Pioneering Maritime Innovation
Damen Shipyards Group has triumphantly delivered the second craft in a duo of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) 2600 to the Pakistan Navy.
The vessel, designated PNS Yamama, follows the previous transfer of the PNS Hunain in the summer of 2024. This recent delivery marks a significant milestone in a longstanding alliance that commenced with Damen’s prior fabrication of the two Yarmook Class ships, based on the Damen OPV 1900, back in 2020. The official handover of the PNS Yamama took place on December 17th at Constanta in Romania.
The second batch of OPVs features a displacement of 2600 tons and extends to 98 meters in length. They are crafted for a wide array of maritime roles, incorporating maritime security and military engagements beyond conventional combat. The vessels are adept and engineered to undertake protracted missions in demanding conditions with resilience, versatility, and adaptability.
During the event, Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi expressed, “The Offshore Patrol Vessels project stands as a significant accomplishment not just for Pakistan but for Damen, the Galati Shipyard, and all partners engaged in the conception, design, fabrication, and commissioning of the four OPVs. I am confident that the partnership between the Pakistan Navy and Damen will unlock new avenues for mutual advantages.”
The OPV project has propelled both the Pakistan Navy and Damen to new pinnacles of cooperative synergy across various fields. The arrival of the fourth OPV coincides with an era of enhanced collaboration, as both parties executed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) that took place in Karachi in November.
The MoU underscores Damen’s commitment to supporting the Pakistan Maritime Science and Technology Park (PMSTP), a newly inaugurated initiative by the Pakistan Navy. With the setup of a central hub near the University of Bahria in Karachi, the PMSTP aspires to foster cooperation among governmental bodies, industry stakeholders, and researchers, championing innovation and development in maritime technology.
As a stakeholder in the PMSTP, Damen will play a crucial role in establishing a local service center to provide maintenance and support services for Damen vessels operating in the region, including the Pakistan Navy’s OPVs. Damen will collaborate with local enterprises on shipbuilding projects, harnessing the sophisticated design and engineering capabilities it will develop as a partner in the PMSTP to facilitate the joint design and creation of new vessels for the Pakistan Navy.
Damen Regional Sales Director Stephan Stout noted, “The PMSTP initiative aligns perfectly with Damen’s operational ethos. Wherever we operate globally, we aspire to collaborate with local governments, industries, and academic and research institutions. We believe that this strategy allows our shipbuilding ventures to empower domestic industries and enhance local employment while simultaneously nurturing the growth of a robust local supply chain. We look forward to partnering with our allies in Pakistan and contributing to the evolution of a sustainable maritime industry in the nation for the long term.”
