KSEW lays keel for 1,500-ton PMSA patrol vessel

Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KSEW) set the keel for a 1,500-ton maritime patrol vessel (MPV) for the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).

The 95-metre MPV is one of two 1,500-ton ships being procured by the PMSA, which is tasked with sea-based policing and patrol duties in Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These are being supported by four 600-ton MPVs, two of which were recently delivered to the PMSA.

The Pakistani government ordered the MPVs from China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC). Of the six ships, three are being built at KSEW (i.e. one 1,500-ton and two 600-ton MPVs).

Notes & Comments:

The 1,500-ton MPV appears to be a variant of the P18N offshore patrol vessel (OPV) built for Nigeria. As per KSEW, the MPV has a top speed of 26 knots. The vessel will also have a flight deck for a small-to-medium sized utility helicopter.