On 28th August, Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) held a keel-laying. The keel-laying was for the secondly of 3 Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV) that DSCT is constructing for the South African Navy’s Project BIRO. The examination was a special occasion, prepared to guarantee the wellness of delegates throughout the continuous coronavirus pandemic. As well as rigorous precaution on place, physical presence was lowered to a minimum, with the bulk going to from another location with electronic seminar centers.
The South African Navy’s Project BIRO intends to establish marine safety and security, making certain the nation’s capacities to react properly, swiftly, and also cost-efficiently to maritime risks such as piracy and also unlawful angling.
Following a security rundown, DSCT board participant Sefale Montsi opened up the keel laying examination inviting visitors. Ms Montsi stated, “I give thanks as a South African to be associated with this project. There is much value in the seas for South Africa and its economy. I am proud to be part of a project that protects our borders and resources.”

Image Credits: Damen
The MMIPVs make use of tried and tested modern technology from Damen’s standard series of patrol watercrafts, which covers every little thing from 10-metre Interceptors and also 50-metre patrol vessels, to 140-metre frigates. The vessels for Project BIRO are customized to the details needs of the South African Navy and also include the Damen Sea Axe Bow– an upright hull kind that lowers banging for risk-free, comfy procedures in harsh seas. The MMIPVs are the initial Sea Axe vessels to run in South Africa.
Speaking at the keel laying examination, Acting Chairperson of Armscor Mr Motimele stated, “I would like to thank the DSCT team for ensuring that the requirements as articulated by the South African Navy are brought to life. Armscor is extremely proud to be part of this project that will deliver multi-mission patrol vessels to the South African Navy, that will serve them well for decades to come with their mission to protect South African coastal and marine interests.”
Mr Motimele was complied with on the platform by the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Hlongwane, that stated that the present scenario with the coronavirus pandemic just offers to enhance the significance of Project BIRO.

Image Credits: Damen
“A well-managed maritime sector is key to the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic… Fighting Covid-19 poses new dilemmas for South Africa in addition to the existing challenges of policing one of the largest maritime zones in Africa. South Africa must also fulfil numerous international safety responsibilities… any reduction in South Africa’s supply chain efficiency could wreak economic havoc on the country and its neighbours. “I would like to say well done and congratulations to all staff involved in the production of the MMIPVs here at DSCT for being able to maintain the construction schedule to this extent under very challenging circumstances. Your commitment to excellence is commendable. I can say with confidence to the South African people that we have selected a good partner to make this project a success. I thank you.”
The job task acts as a demo of Damen Maritime Security Solutions at work. With this campaign, Damen not just provides a ship, however instead a complete maritime option, including every facet of vessel procedure throughout the lifecycle along with the payment to a lasting maritime sector in the area in which it runs.
To that finish, Damen has really and also enthusiastically welcomed, taken on and also incorporated the different suitable federal government programs, such as the Defence Industrial Participation (DIP), Department of Trade and also Industry’s Local Content and also Enterprise and also Supplier Development (ESD) and also Youth Employment Service (YES Initiative) right into its job technique, and also by doing so is wanting to over-achieve on the needs of these programs.

Image Credits: Damen
For instance, Damen will certainly surpass Project BIRO’s 60% regional material needs, releasing agreements to a lot of regional vendors. As an outcome of their work with Project BIRO, much of these vendors are currently set aside for work with Damen jobs in and also beyondSouth Africa Additionally, DSCT’s task of the job has actually produced over 300 straight work and also over 1,000 indirect work according to the South African Government’s Operation Phakisa purposes.
Damen’s Project Director for the MMIPV jobs, Jos Govaarts, specifies, “It’s not only our objective to build three IPVs. We, as DSCT, feel it is our responsibility to create jobs and to develop our suppliers. We have the commitment to make sure that the South African maritime industry fully benefits from South African projects for the long-term. The jobs that we are creating are there to stay.”
Following the speeches, the practice of welding a coin to the keel was observed. On this event, the coin was bonded right into area by Jenny-Lee Fortuin (second Year Apprentice: Welder) An pupil of DSCT’s Apprentice Training Centre, an organization developed by the backyard in order to connect an abilities space in South Africa and also offer employment possibility to regional students. The produced coin being laid on this event was a celebratory medal that was made in the honour of the late Honourable President Mandela as the victor of the 1993 Nobel Prize forPeace The obverse of the coin was developed by British Artist Avril Vaughan and also the opposite was developed by musician Danuta Haremska.
DSCT is making great development with the initial Project BIRO IPV, which it anticipates to supply in 2021.
Reference: damen.com