The latest new-build vessel for the Finnish Border Guard has been christened at the Meyer Turku shipyard. The contract for the two multi-purpose offshore patrol vessels represents the largest single investment in the history of the Finnish Border Guard.
The construction of the two multi-purpose patrol vessels, commissioned by the Finnish Border Guard from Meyer Turku, has reached the stage at which the ship’s christening traditionally takes place during the outfitting phase. On Friday, the second vessel was christened “Valpas”. The Minister for the Interior, Mari Rantanen, acted as godmother.
The ceremony took place at the shipyard in Uusikaupunki, where Meyer Turku is currently fitting out the vessel. The Finnish Border Guard was represented by its Deputy Director, Rear Admiral Tom Hanén; Deputy Managing Director Ville Saksi attended on behalf of Meyer Turku.
“Patrol vessels for use on the high seas are highly complex multi-purpose vessels. Their construction requires extensive expertise as well as close cooperation between the client and the entire project network. The christening of the second vessel marks an important milestone in the project. We are resolutely continuing our work to deliver vessels that meet the high standards of the Finnish Border Guard and ensure Finland’s maritime security well into the future,” says Ville Saksi, Deputy Managing Director of Meyer Turku. Since the German federal government and the state of Lower Saxony took a stake in the financially struggling ‘parent shipyard’ in Papenburg, the German and Finnish companies have been separate entities.
The contract represents the largest single investment in the history of the Finnish Border Guard. The first vessel, the “Karhu”, will be completed in the summer of 2027, whilst the vessel christened “Valpas” is due to be delivered by the end of 2027.
Once the operational systems of the patrol vessel “Turva” have also been modernised, the fleet of patrol vessels will be standardised and state-of-the-art, said Vice-Admiral Markku Hassinen, head of the Finnish Border Guard. “This will significantly strengthen Finland’s ability to respond to challenges in the maritime security environment.”
According to the government, the operational capability of the Finnish Border Guard at sea depends largely on the constant operational readiness of its multi-purpose patrol vessels. The new low-emission and energy-efficient offshore patrol vessels are expected to be deployed at sea for around 330 days a year.
