Chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief Guest; Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania; Marc van Heyningen, COO Damen Group; DCNS (Projects) Rear Admiral Shafquat Hussain Akhtar SI(M). (Photo courtesy Damen)
The launching ceremony for the PNS Hunain offshore patrol vessel was held at Damen Shipyards in Galati, Romania on September 12. PNS Hunain is one of a series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) 2600 that Damen is constructing for the Pakistan Navy. Damen was awarded the contract to build the vessel, following its successful delivery of the first two vessels, PNS Yarmook and PNS Tabuk in 2020.
Attending the event as chief guest was Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi NI (M) S BT. Also in attendance were other representatives of the Pakistan Navy, as well as representatives of the Romanian government and Navy, members of the Pakistan community in Romania. Damen is a port city on Denube River in eastern Romania.
Damen Shipyards Group is one of the largest ship builder in the world. With its headquarters at Gorinchem, Netherlands, the group employs over 12 000 people around the world, located at no fewer than 36 Damen shipbuilding, and ship repair, yards located in virtually every continent.
According to a press release, in his remarks to mark the event, Admiral Niazi acknowledged Damen’s achievement in constructing the vessel in such a short space of time; a result of the company’s practice of building vessels according to proven designs. He highlighted the important role the vessel will undertake in securing maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region, and providing regional stability.
Damen’s Chief Operations Officer, Marc van Heyningen, in his remarks at the ceremony, thanked Admiral Niazi for his attendance and highlighted the long-standing relationship between Damen and the Pakistan Navy.
“It’s a proud moment for everyone involved in the project to see the vessel in the water for the first time. On behalf of Damen, I would like to thank the Pakistan Navy for continuing to place its trust in our company. I look forward to the commissioning phase of PNS Hunain and preparing the vessel for successful delivery and having her ready for the important work it will undertake in securing the seas of the Indian Ocean region,” said Stephan Stout, Damen’s regional sales director.
Pakistan currently has at least 65 patrol vessels of different sizes in active service while 20 more are on order at different shipyards around the world. It is also building several vessels at home in Karachi Shipyards.