From January 2024 up to May 2025, Damen Shipyards delivered five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) on which one OPV was delivered to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). This vessel was locally built and is the first vessel out of a series of three of the “Tun Fatimah-class” and with a length of 83 meter and displacement of 1890 tonnes the latest delivery for the MMEA fleet.
Offshore Patrol Vessels
Damen’s Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) have also been sold around the world and today undertake a wide range of tasks. Introduced in 2004, OPVs are a crossover design between vessels suited to naval standards and commercial vessels. They can deliver specific naval and Coast guard capabilities using commercial platforms at significant cost benefits. OPVs are true multi-mission platforms, designed to be highly adaptable. As well as security and law enforcement duties, they can be equipped to undertake search and rescue operations, oil spill detection, fisheries inspection and humanitarian assistance including disaster relief. Damen has delivered nearly 35 OPVs, up to 98 meters in length.
The Damen OPVs are divided in a more commercial series, ranging from 1400 to 2400 tons and a more military series (the MOPVs) ranging from 1800 to 2600 tons.
Local construction
Damen supports the construction of its vessels at both Damen and non-Damen shipyards worldwide. The company has extensive experience in assisting third-party shipyards and local businesses, including the provision of technology access and technical know-how. This approach facilitates the development of long-term local expertise. Damen frequently engages with local businesses in the execution of shipbuilding projects, and where necessary, provides the investments required to build local capacity.
Across all regions of operation, Damen maintains a consistent objective: to establish long-term collaborations with local governments, shipyards, industries, and educational and research institutions — even in the absence of contractual obligations. This strategy ensures that Damen’s shipbuilding activities contribute meaningfully to local economic development and job creation.
Why Damen?
Over the past two decades, Damen has delivered nearly 3000 vessels, demonstrating its industry-leading position. The company’s portfolio is unmatched in the industry with its comprehensive range including not only naval and patrol vessels, but also workboats of all types serving ports and harbours and the offshore energy sector. Its ferries and freighters can be found all over the world, and it also designs and builds highly specialist vessels for commercial and governmental applications.
Damen’s defence and security portfolio is equally broad and comprehensive. Its inshore and offshore patrol boats, ranging from 16 to 98 metres, along with its custom frigates, corvettes, and SIGMA combatants, are operational worldwide, including with European navies and are able to support every nation in building their own assets at their local yard with a large and experienced team of technical support staff of the Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) organisation.
Damen is committed to further enhance capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) through local partnership and cooperation with local shipyards, boosting not only local economy, but also supporting the Malaysian maritime industry to further built-up knowledge and capabilities through an extensive Transfer of Technology (ToT) program.
Damen will be showcasing all this at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) and welcome you to visit us at Booth A027.
