Swiftships to Build Egyptian Navy Patrol Boats

Swiftships, LLC, of Morgan City, La, has been awarded a second Navy contract for the the construction of six 35 meter patrol boats for the Egyptian Navy. The vessels are part of an extension of the existing Build, Operate, Transfer (or co-production) program which the Egyptian government and Swiftships set in place for co-producing four 28 meter Patrol Boats from 2010-2014. Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT), allows for shipbuilding knowledge and expertise to be transferred to developing nations. 

"The participation of Swiftships with a public entity and a strong financial arm can enhance the shipbuilding and ship repair trade; as a result, infrastructure, modernization and employment can flourish in the region in which co-production is applied." - Shehraze Shah, CEO, Swiftships

After a technical evaluation performed by a committee designated by the Egyptian Government, Swiftships 35 meter patrol boat was determined to have the best platform according to the Egyptian Navy requirements. The six patrol boats will be constructed at the Egyptian Ship Building and Repairs Company (ESBRC) in Alexandria, Egypt. The construction will be performed by in-country labor under Swiftships trained supervisors and subject matter experts. Contract negotiations are being finalized and procurement of materials will begin before 2015. Swiftships has built a total of 23 boats for the Egyptian Navy including mine hunters, survey vessels, and both steel and aluminum patrol boats. 

Swiftships 35m PB hull and superstructure is constructed of all-welded aluminum alloy. The hull includes seven watertight bulkheads forming eight watertight compartments. Boats can be refueled at sea using side-by-side procedures, and run on diesel fuel. The functionality of this vessel is to contain and conquer almost any aerial and subsea enemy threats. Weather survivability includes sea state 5, survival at the best heading, and fully operational capability at sea state 3.