The new vessels will be an improved version of the OPV Turva, which entered service in 2014. (Janes/John Pagni)
The Finnish Border Guard (FBG) has awarded a contract to Meyer Turku for two new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
The new vessels will be an improved variant of the OPV Turva, which was commissioned into FBG service in 2014 as the world's first LNG coastguard ship.
Under the terms of the contract, signed on 29 June, the first new OPV is expected to be completed in 2025, and the second boat in 2026. They are intended to replace three older OPVs: Merikarhu, Tursas, and Uisko, and will have an expected service life that extends into the 2050s.
Based on Turva's specifications, the two new OPVs are expected to be 96 m long with a 5 m draft and a top speed of 18 kt to navigate Finland's 4,600 km irregular coastline that is dotted with islands, islets, and skerries.
In winter, Turva can break through 80 cm of ice and with a bollard pull of 100 tonnes, can tow the largest ships that navigate the Baltic Sea.
The OPVs will be used to undertake a variety of coastguard tasks including search-and-rescue, maritime security, and pollution-control operations.
In peacetime, the only weapons aboard are small arms, but if necessary, automatic machine guns can be rapidly installed.
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