VT wins OPV order

Support services and shipbuilding company VT Group in England has been contracted to build and manage three offshore patrol vessels (OPV), including associated training and long-term maintenance support, that are to be supplied to Trinidad.

The program, which was part of a proposal from the Government of the United Kingdom and VT Group to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, is valued at more than $201million.

Design work will start immediately on the 295 ft. (90.7 metre) ships, which will be used for a range of economic exclusion zone (EEZ) management, special operations and maritime law enforcement tasks. They will be operated by the Trinidad and Tobago Coastguard and the first ship will be handed over in 2009.