Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, held a launching ceremony for the second of two large multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) being built for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
As disclosed, the ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant at MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture. This project is being financed by the Japanese government under a loan agreement corresponding to Phase II of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project concluded between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan in October 2016.
This vessel has an overall length of approximately 96.6 meters, with a maximum speed of 24 knots and a cruising range of up to 4,000 nautical miles. It is equipped with secure communication systems for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, a helideck and hangar for helicopter operations, an underwater remotely operated vehicle for subsurface search and survey, high-speed rubber boats and other essential equipment for maritime domain awareness and maritime law enforcement operations. The ship will make a significant contribution to enhancing the speed of response to maritime accidents or crimes on the Philippines EEZ and high seas. The first MRRV was launched on 26 July, 2021.
The MRRVs will become “the largest vessels of the PCG fleet. These vessels will enhance the Philippines’ law enforcement capabilities, improve maritime safety and security, and strengthen further close partnership between Japan and the Philippines,” according to the officials.
Both ships are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines in March 2022 and May 2022, respectively.
Earlier on, Japanese shipbuilder Japan Marine United Corporation has also built MRRVs for the Philippine Coast Guard. The first one was launched in 2016.