Fincantieri delivers P61 OPV to Armed Forces of Malta

Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri has delivered the upgraded P61 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) to the Armed Forces of Malta.

The ship’s refurbishment was carried out the company’s drydocking facility at the Port of Genoa, Italy.

Fincantieri initally received the upgrade contract from the Armed Forces of Malta in January.

The project was performed over an approximately six-month period and aimed to improve the OPV’s reaction capability.

The refurbishment saw the installation of a new main propulsion plant, as well as other machinery and equipment.

It also included an overhaul of the vessel’s on-board systems.

The P61 OPV modernisation project was co-financed by the European Union (EU) Internal Security Fund.

The 53m-long vessel was originally constructed by Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano.

It was delivered to the Armed Forces of Malta in 2005 and commissioned on 3 November the same year.

The OPV is a modified variant of the Diciotti-class patrol boat, which was initially developed by Fincantieri for use by the Italian Coast Guard.

It features a maximum speed of 23k and a full load displacement capability of 399t.

Additionally, vessel is able to cover a range 2,100 nautical miles (nmi) at a speed of 16k.

Fincantieri and the Armed Forces of Malta signed the original contract for the OPV’s development on 12 March 2004.

The deal also included a training and logistics package.