Finnish boat building company Marine Alutech has clinched a pivotal contract to provide the Hellenic Coast Guard with five Watercat 2000 patrol boats. The contract, formally endorsed by Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, and Niko Haro, Managing Director of Marine Alutech Oy Ab, alongside Finnish Ambassador Jari Gustafsson, marks a substantial advancement in fortifying the Hellenic Coast Guard’s operational capabilities. Valued at EUR 17 million initially, with an additional option for five more vessels, the contract underscores a strategic move to fortify border surveillance efforts in Greece’s maritime domain. Crafted to withstand diverse operational challenges, the Watercat 2000 Patrol vessels boast an impressive design with an overall length of 19.5 meters, a width of 5.1 meters, and a formidable maximum speed exceeding 50 knots. Outfitted with cutting-edge surveillance equipment, these boats demonstrate versatility across various climates, seamlessly navigating freezing winter conditions as well as hot and humid tropical environments. The Watercats 2000 Patrol series is tailored for coastal surveillance, equipped to handle an array of critical operations spanning search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, maritime safety, environmental protection, disaster response, and fisheries control. The main project is co-funded at 90% by the Special Action “Frontex Agency Equipment” of the Internal Security Fund 2014-2020 of the European Union. The options have been included in the programme of the Border Management and Visa Policy Financial Support Instrument (BFSF) of the Integrated Border Management Fund 2021-2027 and will be co-financed at a rate of 75%.
The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianides said. “I would like to express my satisfaction over the signing of this contract. I am confident that the acquisition of these vessels will make a decisive contribution to the important work and national mission of the Hellenic Coast Guard for the protection of our maritime borders.
The specialized design of Marine Alutech’s Watercat® high-speed Coast Guard and Police patrol boats enables independent patrolling, swift SAR operations, as well as effective interception capabilities. These vessels boast a modern hull design ensuring exceptional maneuverability and stability across all sea states within their operational domain. With a sprint speed surpassing 50 knots, these boats offer reliability and predictability in performance, providing a robust platform for rigorous operations from Arctic to tropical regions. Moreover, the modular design of the Watercat® boats signifies intentional operational sustainability, coupled with cost-effective maintenance throughout their extended lifecycle. Built using high-quality materials such as aluminum or composite materials, Marine Alutech constructs these boats up to 25 meters, tailored for various duties and operational purposes. Bureau Veritas certification underscores Marine Alutech’s commitment to quality and compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 standards, and the AQAP 2110 quality system.
Marine Alutech is a leading designer and manufacturer of aluminium and composite boats in Finland. The company specializes in 5–27 meters boats and vessels for navies, coast guards, government agencies and port authorities. Marine Alutech has its own trading name Watercat. Marine Alutech is a leader in designing and manufacturing versatile aluminium and composite boats with over 30 years’ experience fulfilling government requirements in various maritime environments worldwide. Conveniently located in the historical ironworks village of Teijo-Salo since 1985, Marine Alutech is about an hour southwest of Helsinki. Teijo`s (est. 1686) shipbuilding started in 1917 as an industry and is the home of our worldwide renowned Watercat® brand. Helmed by CEO Niko Haro, Marine Alutech provides highly educated and specialised groups of marine and industry professionals for individual maritime projects. In addition to boat design and construction, Marine Alutech offers a full range of vessel and after sales services including maintenance throughout a boat’s whole life cycle.
