Government has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards in Cape Town for “emergency and urgent” repairs to its fisheries patrol vessels.
|||Cape Town - Government on Wednesday announced it has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards in Cape Town for “emergency and urgent” repairs to its fisheries patrol vessels.
“The fisheries branch of the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries has signed a six-month contract with Damen Shipyards Cape Town today... for emergency and urgent vessel repairs and maintenance,” the department said in a statement.
This followed the expiry of the memorandum of understanding between the department and the navy, which has been managing the department's fleet of six patrol vessels.
“Damen Shipyards Cape Town will be responsible for readying the fleet of vessels, and ensure all vessels are seaworthy and reclassified during its term of contract.
“The priority and immediate focus is to operationalise the Sarah Baartman offshore fisheries patrol vessel and the Africana
fisheries research vessel.”
The department said a tender process for the fleet's long-term management had started.
“The process is expected to be concluded in July (this year),” it said.
According to its website, Damen Shipyards Cape Town is a member of the international Damen Shipyards Group. - Sapa