Shipping and Island Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias today signed a contract worth a total of €23.8 million for the supply of seven new fast patrol boats for the Hellenic Coast Guard, at a special event held at the ministry.
The new vessels will strengthen the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities in monitoring Greek waters, protecting the country’s maritime borders, overseeing fishing activity, tackling illegal activity, and conducting search and rescue operations.
The contract covers seven MAGNAR 1950 vessels, each 21.29 metres long, which will be built in Greece by VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT HELLAS, the company awarded the contract.
The contract also provides for the option to acquire up to seven additional identical vessels in the future.
In his speech, Mr Kikilias spoke about the increased demands facing the Coast Guard in challenging times, stressing the need to continually equip its personnel with modern resources.
“We are living through difficult times, amid geopolitical instability. The responsibilities we have as a ministry and as the Coast Guard have increased considerably, and the procurement of the seven new fast patrol boats is another decisive step in our efforts to support the men and women of the Coast Guard, enabling them to carry out their patriotic duty with the most modern resources at their disposal. We want to make their work easier as they face the challenges of today and tomorrow,” the minister said, urging all those involved to adhere strictly to the timetable so that, within six to 12 months from now, the boats would be delivered one after another.
On the construction of the new patrol boats in Greece and the importance of strengthening the Greek shipbuilding industry, Mr Kikilias said:
“From the moment I took office as Shipping and Island Policy Minister, I stressed that operational capability and the ability to strengthen ourselves permanently and eventually become self-sufficient — our ability to manufacture, and therefore to have strong shipyards and a strong shipbuilding industry — are necessary and sufficient conditions for this effort. It is now clear that Greek shipyards and Greek companies operating in this sector are becoming increasingly strong.”
He also paid particular tribute to Coast Guard personnel, drawing on his own experience of visiting islands and going on patrol aboard Coast Guard vessels.
“During this time, on visits to our islands, large and small, I have had the opportunity to go aboard many different types of Coast Guard vessels and see at first hand — and I acknowledge this with great pride — the ability, professionalism and patriotism of our personnel, our coastguards,” he said.
On the broader plan to modernise the Coast Guard and the priorities of its mission, the minister said:
“It is very important to us that, as we work to create and build a modern, strong Hellenic Coast Guard, while running tenders for artificial intelligence, the new KEPICH, ESOTHE, VTMS, drones, sensors and whatever else is required in the modern era to support our people, we also have the resources we need. We must be able to police our borders effectively, operate with confidence and uphold our doctrine. We are a country that must be able to put into practice whatever it announces,”.
In closing, addressing Coast Guard personnel, the minister said:
“I want you to act with confidence, but also with an awareness of your duty and the difficulties you face. I want you to respect the public and society, our islanders, our people and our seas, because the sea demands respect and caution. And the priorities are clear: above all, safety and the protection of human life, as well as our maritime borders. We must be ready, organised and operating at the highest possible level,”.
The new patrol boats will be capable of reaching a speed of at least 50 knots and covering distances of at least 320 nautical miles.
They will have a six-person crew, an overall capacity of at least 30 people, modern navigation and communications systems, and suitable equipment for search and rescue operations.
Ioannis Georgiadis, representing the company awarded the contract, said:
“Today is an especially important day for Viking in Greece, for the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, and for Greek shipbuilding and industrial activity. The signing of the contract to build seven modern Magnar fast patrol boats, with an option for a further seven, marks the start of a project of strategic importance for the country and the Coast Guard.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Shipping and Island Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias, the ministry’s leadership and staff, and the Coast Guard for the confidence they have shown in our company. We are greatly honoured by this trust, which also brings with it a significant responsibility. We are committed to delivering vessels with high operational capabilities that will make a meaningful contribution to the Coast Guard’s mission to protect maritime borders, human life at sea and national security.
It is particularly significant that these vessels will be built entirely in Greece, at our facilities in Thiva. This is an investment in Greek industry, Greek expertise and Greek workers. The programme will create jobs, develop new skills and strengthen our country’s productive base.
Viking is an international organisation with a strong presence in Greece spanning many decades. Our aim is to combine international experience and the highest quality standards with Greek production and innovation. Today’s project is perhaps the best example of this approach.
In closing, I would like to reiterate our commitment to working with professionalism, consistency and dedication to deliver a result that meets the expectations of the state and the Coast Guard personnel who will operate these vessels every day. Thank you very much for your trust. We look forward to seeing the first Greek-built Magnar boats operating in Greek waters soon,”.
The procurement is funded by the Public Investment Development Programme, through the co-funded “Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Sea 2021–2027” programme.
The contract also provides for a four-year warranty on the vessels, or 6,000 operating hours for the main engines, whichever comes first, with no additional cost to the Coast Guard for work covered by the warranty.