VT Shipbuilding will start production of its latest export program on January 23 when the High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago starts the steel cutting process for the first of three Offshore Patrol Vessels at Portsmouth Naval Base. The 295-ft. ships will be used to help protect Trinidad and Tobago's oil and gas resources besides taking on constabulary roles such as environmental protection, fishery protection and anti-drugs operations. The first ship will be handed over in 2009.