South African Navy News

Damen Shipyards has delivered the first of three 62m by 11m Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPVs) to the South African Navy, at a ceremony held at Simon's Town Naval Base in South Africa."The vessel marks the culmination of four years of work for Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT). The vessel being delivered will augment South Africa’s maritime security by enhancing the country’s capability to respond effectively, rapidly, and cost-effectively to threats such as illegal trafficking and fishing," Damen said.The vessel is the first Damen Sea Axe vessel to operate in South Africa.

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) on Thursday launched the first of three Multi Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV) procured by ARMSCOR for the South African Navy (SAN).The vessels will augment South Africa’s maritime security by enhancing the country’s capability to respond effectively, rapidly and cost-effectively to threats such as illegal trafficking and fishing.The more than 600-ton vessel was transported from the DSCT shipyard on the evening of March 23 to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) synchrolift at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Basin.

Paramount Maritime launched its second of three next-generation Survey Motor Boats (SMBs) for the South African Navy in a move that will enhance the capabilities and infrastructure of the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO). This follows the launch of the first Survey Motor Boat to the South African Navy in August 2020.Veecraft Marine, a subsidiary of Paramount Maritime, had been tasked with the design and manufacture of the three Survey Motor Boats, all of which having taken place in their shipyard in Cape Town…

Beca Applied Technologies Ltd, with the support of specialist naval architecture company Vard Marine Inc, have been appointed by the New Zealand Ministry of Defense as the Technical Support Partner to the Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel (SOPV) project. Beca and Vard Marine will join the Ministry’s Integrated Project Team providing systems engineering, concept design and technical logistics input for the early stages of the project as the capability is defined and specified.The SOPV project is exploring options for an ice-strengthened offshore patrol vessel for Southern Ocean operations will be navigating the large distance between New Zealand and Antarctica…

On August 28, Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) held a keel-laying for the second of three Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV) that it is building for the South African Navy’s Project BIRO.The South African Navy’s Project BIRO aims to develop maritime security, ensuring the country’s capabilities to respond effectively, rapidly, and cost-efficiently to maritime threats such as piracy and illegal fishing.The MMIPVs draw on proven technology from Damen’s standardized range of patrol boats…

Paramount Maritime, a Paramount Group company, said it has launched the first of three next-generation Survey Motor Boats (SMBs) to the South African Navy in continued support of its programs to enhance the capabilities and infrastructure of the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO).In addition to the three Survey Motor Boats to be delivered to the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO), this program also provides for the delivery of a Hydrographic Survey Vessel and a Sea Boat as well as a third…

Veecraft Marine, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Maritime Holdings and African-based global aerospace and technology company Paramount Group,  opened its new premises at a ceremony held in Cape Town. Veecraft Marine has manufactured more than 60  maritime platform solutions in various classes since its inception in 2002, totaling more than $130 million of contracts. Leveraging its specialization in the construction of 20 to 30 meter vessels, the company has secured an order book valued at more than $13.5 million.

As part of its commitment to accelerate transformation in the South African shipbuilding industry, Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has recently helped to empower Africa Projects Consultants; a small, 100% black-owned business focused on the shipbuilding and ship repair sectors, via a R5 million ($354,000) interest-free loan to purchase a state-of-the-art pipe-bending machine. This investment will enhance Africa Projects Consultants’ capabilities and so grow its business. Both companies have signed an agreement to seal their partnership.Jaap de Lange…

On Saturday,February 23, 2019, Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) hosted a keel laying ceremony, marking the start of construction on the first of three Multi-mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPVs) for the South African Navy. These vessels will aid in protecting the country from threats such as trafficking, illegal fishing and piracy, as well as support job creation and enterprise development.The keel laying ceremony is a maritime tradition that dates back to the times of wooden…

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) said it has received an order from Armscor – the acquisition agency for the South African Department of Defense – for three Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), 62 x 11 meters. The new vessels – the first of a Damen Sea Axe design to operate in South Africa – will form part of the South African Navy’s Project Biro. The project aims to develop South Africa’s maritime security, ensuring that the country has the capability to respond effectively, rapidly and cost-efficiently to maritime threats such as illegal trafficking and fishing.

As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) for joint support of the South African Navy frigates and submarines. Denel, which is a global supplier of defense products and solutions, and tkMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on board the SAS Amatola, in Rostock, Germany. The cooperation is based on the recognition of the critical importance of the operational availability of the South African Navy Fleet at all times. Denel’s Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine Class submarines (SAS Manthatisi, SAS Charlotte Maxeke and SAS Queen Modjadji) and four Valour Class Frigates (SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi).

As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH (tkMS) for joint support of the SA Navy frigates and submarines. Denel, which is a global supplier of world-class defence products and solutions, and tkMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on board the SAS AMATOLA, in Rostock, Germany. The cooperation is based on the recognition of the critical importance of the operational availability of the South African Navy Fleet at all times. Denel’s Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine Class submarines (SAS MANTHATISI…

Offering the Vard Marine 9 105 Hydrographic/Oceanographic Survey vessel design, Southern African Shipyards, located in Durban, S.A. has been selected as the preferred bidder for the South African Navy Project “Hotel” program. This is a continued success for Vard Marine in designing science vessels. Vard Marine partnered with the shipyard to develop a design for the program and the final configuration results in a PC7 ice strengthened vessel of 95M in length with approximately 12.24MW installed diesel electric power plant and a maximum speed of 18 knots. The vessel has a 10,000nm range with 44 days endurance; incorporates the latest hydrographic and oceanographic sensor suite and will be manned by a total crew of 120 persons comprising ships’ crew and scientists.

Kelvin Hughes, a company in the design and supply of navigation and security surveillance systems, has announced the installation and commissioning of a SharpEye radar system on the South African Navy’s fleet replenishment ship, SAS Drakensberg. In addition to X and S Band SharpEye  radars the system includes IMO compliant displays and a dedicated tactical display with Kelvin Hughes Advanced Agile Tracker for helicopter approach and control. With its advanced target detection capability, the solid-state SharpEye provides an industry leading level of maritime situational awareness.

On 4 February 2016 the South African Navy took delivery of a second South African-built Damen ATD Tug 2909 at the naval base in Simon’s Town. Escorted by SA Navy's existing six tugs, Inyathi was welcomed into the naval fleet with a traditional sail past. Inyathi – meaning buffalo – is the second Damen ATD Tug 2909 in a two vessel replacement contract awarded to Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) after a transparent tender process. The first, named Imvubu – meaning hippo – was delivered in July 2015. The two new tugs will be deployed for towing, mooring and fire-fighting operations for the South African Navy’s current and future fleet of vessels under all-weather…

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) is currently building a Damen ATD 2909 Tug named Inyathi – Buffalo in English – to be delivered to the South African Navy in January 2016. Now in the production phase, this is the second tug the SA Navy has ordered from DSCT. The first, named Imvubu  - meaning Hippo – was delivered beginning July 2015. These tugs are to replace two existing harbour and coastal tugs, De Neys and De Mist, built in 1969 and 1978 respectively. They will remain in service until the delivery of the second ATD. The new tugs are equipped to safely assist the SA Navy’s current and future fleet of vessels under all-weather, heavy sea, restricted visibility, day and night conditions within the confines of the Southern African ports and in coastal waters.

Maritime forces from East Africa, South Africa, Europe, Indian Ocean nations, the United States and several international organizations began the fourth iteration of the multinational maritime Exercise Cutlass Express, Jan. 28, 2015. Exercise Cutlass Express 2015, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness (MDA) and information-sharing practices to increase capabilities of East African and Indian Ocean nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. The exercise leverages The Djibouti Code of Conduct, which 21 nations are signatory to, as a framework for exercising information-sharing practices and enforcing maritime rule of law at sea.

The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Ms Lilianne Ploumen, and a Dutch Trade Delegation visited Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) on Tuesday, July 8th 2014. The goal was to get an impression of the way South African and Dutch companies and entrepreneurs are working together. In addition, the newly qualified pupils from DSCT’s in-house Apprentice Training Centre received their certificates from the minister. All qualified artisans, as they now are, are offered a job at Damen’s South African shipyard. Minister Ploumen and the other guests were welcomed by Damen Shipyards Cape Town staff, including board members Mr Sam Montsi, Mr Friso Visser and Mrs Sefale Montsi-Zuma.

The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, and a Dutch Trade Delegation visited Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. The goal was to get an impression of the way South African and Dutch companies and entrepreneurs are working together. In addition, the newly qualified pupils from DSCT’s in-house Apprentice Training Center received their certificates from the minister. All qualified artisans, as they now are, are offered a job at Damen’s South African shipyard.

The Royal Australian Navy is currently chairing the group of world navies whose nations share boundaries with the Indian Ocean at he biennial Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) which was established in 2008 as a forum to increase maritime cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN, was handed Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium group by Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Sagaren L Pillay SM, MMM representing the former chair…

Some 600 maritime and naval experts are to meet in Cape Town from 25-27 November, 2013, to discuss the price of piracy in Africa and the institutional and technical solutions available during the annual Maritime & Coastal Security Africa conference and exhibition. It is the largest maritime defence and security event on the continent, say the organisers. What does poor maritime security cost each year? Says event producer Tracey-Lee Zurcher: “The high profile of Somali piracy…

Builders of this offshore patrol vessel, Spain's Navantia shipyard is a potential candidate for the BIRO procurement program, in which this ship can be adapted to the requirements of the South African Navy. This OPV is a medium sized, multipurpose and high performance ship with great versatility regarding missions, enjoys a high level of system commonality with other Spanish Navy ships and has low acquisition and life cycle costs. •    Length Overall: 93.90 m. •    Maximum Beam: 14.20 m. •    Depth to Flight Deck: 7.20 m. •    Displacement at full load: 2,575 t. •    Scantling draught: 4.4 m.

Caption: Composite image of patrol vessel for Royal Netherlands navy to be equipped with Thordon seawater lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearings. Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, Netherlands will fit Thordon seawater lubricated Compac propeller shaft bearings to four Patrol Vessels that will be built for the Royal Netherlands Navy. With a 30 year history of supplying seawater lubricated bearings to many of the world’s navies, the Thordon Compac bearing system offers operational and wear performance…