2 new 97-meter ships to boost West PH Sea patrols: PCG

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 18, 2021): 2 new 97-meter ships to boost West PH Sea patrols: PCG (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

STRONGER FLEET. The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) second 97-meter multi-role response vessel during its launch at the Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan on Thursday (Nov. 18, 2021). The PCG said the ship and its twin will allow for sustained maritime patrols especially in areas such as the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

The two 97-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV) recently acquired for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are seen to boost the country’s ability to patrol the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the rest of its maritime jurisdiction.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the PCG said the ships -- manufactured by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. In Japan -- will be the PCG's largest vessels, a record currently held by the French-made 83-meter off-shore patrol vessel (OPV) BRP Gabriela Silang.

“Bahagi ito ng Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II (MSCIP Phase 2) ng Department of Transportation - Philippines (DOTr) para sa modernisasyon ng PCG (This is part of the MSCIP Phase 2 of the DOTr for the modernization of the PCG),” the PCG said.

These new ships, it said, are based on the Japan Coast Guard’s ‘Kunigami-class’ vessels and are capable of a maximum speed of not lower than 24 knots and an endurance of 4,000 nautical miles or more.

With these ships, the PCG will be able to launch sustained maritime patrols in the country’s waters including the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Rise, and in the southern parts of the country.

Earlier on Thursday, the second vessel of the two acquired through the MSCIP Phase 2 was launched at the Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan and is expected to be delivered to the Philippines by May 2022.

The first vessel was earlier launched at the same shipyard in July 2021 and is expected to reach the country in March 2022.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160195