Guyana is set to purchase a brand new Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV) from France in support of ongoing patrol activities to ensure national security. The specific model is the OCEA OPV 190 model, which will be purchased for a total of €39.5 million. Based on the previous OPV models development, shipbuilding experience and operational feedback, including the OPV 190 Mk II (58 meters) and the OSV 190 SC-WB in service with the Senegal and Indonesian navies. As the OPV will be used for maritime patrol, fisheries protection, search and rescue, countering piracy and marine pollution, it features diver facilities and a detention cell.
The 58 metre long aluminium vessel is powered by two MTU 16V4000 diesel engines giving a speed of 24 knots, although maximum range is 5 500 miles and three weeks at 12 knots. Due to its shallow 2.3 metre draft, the vessel can operate close to shore. Two davits on each side of the rear deck are able to launch and recover two RHIBs and Fouladou will be equippe4d with two 7.5 metre boats manufactured by Palfinger. They will be used by boarding teams and special forces. Armament will likely include a cannon and machineguns. The large rear deck can accept various mission modules.
Specialized in the design, building and support of aluminum vessels up to 85 meters, Ocea has rapidly expanded since its establishment in 1987, gaining an important position on the international market. With 95% of the turnover coming from export, the Ocea shipbuilding company has rapidly expanded its family of aluminum-built OPVs. Ocea shipbuilder has developed the OPV 190 which so-far completes the shipbuilding family between the 46-meters of the OPV 150 model to the 84 meters of the OPV 270 platform. Today, with more than 400 employees and 4 production sites in France, a subsidiary in Guadeloupe and one in the Philippines.
