Coin Ceremony for Mexican Navy Newbuild
On Thursday, August 17, the Secretary of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, took part in a symbolic coin ceremony at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) at Vlissingen in the Netherlands. He was accompanied by the Secretary of National Defense, General Salvador Cienfuegos.
The ceremony is a part of the shipbuilding process, traditionally aimed at attracting good fortune for a vessel under construction. On this occasion, the vessel is a Damen Sigma 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel.
The Mexican Navy is a long-standing client of Damen and currently operates no fewer than ten Damen vessels in its fleet. The project for a Sigma 10514 was signed earlier this year.
As with the Sigma vessels Damen built for the Indonesian Navy, the vessel for Mexico will be constructed modularly, with shipbuilding activities taking place in both the Netherlands and Mexico. Two of the six modules will be constructed at DSNS’ location in Vlissingen, while the remaining four will be built at a Mexican Shipyard. Upon conclusion, the six modules will be integrated in Mexico. This way Damen contributes to the development of the shipbuilding capabilities of the Mexican Naval Industry related to control, propulsion and detection systems.
The Sigma 10514 is designed to undertake a wide range of missions. The vessel will allow the Mexican Navy to participate in international exercises, humanitarian missions, and to increase its presence in its territorial waters and Economic Exclusive Zone of the country.
