Morocco - new OPV from Spanish shipyard

Launching of Moroccan patrol vessel at Navantia

At the end of May, the Spanish Navantia shipyard in San Fernando near Cádiz celebrated the launch of a new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the type Avante 1800 for the Moroccan Navy completed. So far, the 87 metre long ship only carries the Fuselage number 502; an official name has not yet been given. The naming ceremony is not expected to take place until the ship is handed over to the navy - once the technical verification and functional tests have been completed.

The new OPV is considered Type shipwhich could be followed by others - depending on future decisions by the Kingdom of Morocco. The construction is based on the slightly larger Avante 3000 (97 metres), better known as Meteoro classof which six units have already been built for the Spanish Armada as BAM (Buque de Acción Marítima) were delivered. In addition, two sub-hunting versions were ordered for Spain, and a special version as a Submarine rescue ship "Poseidon" is nearing completion - also in San Fernando.

The construction of the new ship for Rabat will also Political signalling effect unfold: The "regional" production offers an opportunity to promote co-operation between the two historical rivals at the geographical interface of Europe and Africa - the across the Strait of Gibraltar - further deepen.