KUALA LUMPUR: Construction of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) multi-purpose mission ship (MPMS) has begun with a keel laying ceremony at Desan Kaptanoglu Shipyard in Turkiye.
The ceremony, officiated by MMEA director of engineering First Admiral Mohd Rizal Hishamuddin and MPMS project director Kpt Mohammad Nasir Man yesterday, marked the start of joining the main blocks for the largest vessel in the agency’s history.
Mohd Rizal said the initial phase of the keel laying involved the installation of blocks 107, 108, 207, and 208, which formed the ship’s midsection, Bernama reported.
“This keel laying tradition marks the start of the main block assembly process and carries symbolic significance for the construction of a strategic national asset,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Mohd Rizal said the 99m-long and 17m-wide MPMS was designed for deep-sea operations lasting up to 28 days without resupply, and would be deployed for surveillance in the Exclusive Economic Zone as well as to monitor areas inaccessible to smaller vessels.
Equipped with advanced defence technology, he said the MPMS would feature an unmanned aerial vehicle, a 30mm cannon, X- and S-band radars, a helicopter landing pad, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, and four fast interceptor craft.
“The MPMS can travel at 20 knots, accommodate 70 crew members and 20 passengers, and will have onboard medical and detention facilities,” added Mohd Rizal.
Meanwhile, Desan Kaptanoglu Shipyard board chairman Cenk Ismail Kaptanoglu said in the same statement that achieving the keel laying milestone so soon after the contract signing on May 20 demonstrated the efficiency and commitment of all parties involved.
“The steel blocks installed today will not only form the backbone of the MPMS but also symbolise the strategic relationship and determination of Turkiye and Malaysia to strengthen maritime security.
“As with our previous projects, we are confident the MPMS can be delivered ahead of the March 2027 schedule,” he said.
