Government of Japan Hands Over Specialized Vessel For Strengthening Marine Pollution Response in Maldives

On Tuesday, the Government of Japan handed over a specialized vessel to the Maldives to aid in the strengthening of marine pollution response in the country. The vessel was handed over at a special ceremony held at the MNDF Headquarters by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, His Excellency Takei Shunsuke and the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Her Excellency Mrs. Takeuchi Midori. Minister of Defence, Her Excellency Mariya Ahmed Didi received the vessel on behalf of the government of Maldives.

The specialized vessel was donated aligning with the Exchange of Note agreement signed between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Maldives in December 2018, under the Economic and Social Development programme. In August 2020, Japan also donated oil spill response equipment featuring oil booms, oil absorbent tools and other equipment worth ¥ 300,000,000. Moreover, training on oil spill response was also facilitated for five Coast Guard officers at the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center in Yokosuka, Japan as part of the assistance in October 2019.

The specialized vessel handed over by the Japanese Government comes with specifications including:
- Manufacturer / Model: YANMAR CO., LTD. / DA55V-Ⅱ
- Overall length: 16.64m, Overall width 3.63m, Total depth 1.65m
- Gross tonnage: 14 tonnages
- Number of passengers: 14
- Cruising range Approx. 400 nautical miles at about 13kt (Approx. 740km at about 24km/h)
- Maximum speed 24kt (Approx. 44km/h)
 
With this aid, the Government of Japan hopes that it will strengthen the capacity and capability of the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard in their response to maritime pollution incidents.