Shipping News South Africa

Nautic to build patrol boats for West Africa

Cape Town-based shipbuilding company Nautic Africa will be building seven new 35-metre Fast Multi Role Patrol Vessels for West African clients, the first in their class to be designed and built in South Africa. The order has a total value in excess of R600 million.

The keels of five of these vessels have already been laid and Nautic expects to make its first deliveries next year and to complete the contract early in 2015.

The orders are a result of the company's collaboration with West African navies, as well as oil and gas companies, to develop an effective way of counteracting illegal fishing, piracy and other illicit offshore activities.

"The orders reflect our customers' confidence in our ability to deliver solutions-based products, coupled with unparalleled on-the-ground service and support," said James Fisher, Nautic Africa CEO.

Plans are now also well underway with the expansion of Nautic Africa's second West African base in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, which will focus exclusively on vessel life-cycle support and servicing. The company already has a base in Takoradi, Ghana.

Continue reading the full story on www.ports.co.za

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