VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has signed a €23.8 million contract through its Greek company, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Hellas, to supply seven high-speed patrol vessels to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The VIKING Norsafe Magnar 1950 vessels will be built entirely in Greece, one of five countries where VIKING has manufacturing facilities.
Each measures 21.29 metres, has a top speed of at least 50 knots and a range exceeding 320 nautical miles.
The boats will operate with six-person crews, carry at least 30 people and feature modern navigation and communication systems.
The vessels will support surveillance of Greek waters, maritime border protection, fisheries control, and search and rescue.
The agreement includes an option for up to seven additional vessels of the same type.
Today’s and tomorrow’s challenges
Deliveries are scheduled to begin within six to 12 months, with boats handed over in succession.
Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, signed the contract at the ministry in Athens, alongside Coast Guard officials and VIKING representatives.
He described the procurement as a step towards supporting Coast Guard personnel, saying the goal was ‘to make their job easier, facing the challenges of today and tomorrow’.
“Building these vessels locally reflects our commitment to Greek shipbuilding and to the people who protect lives at sea every day,” said John Georgiadis, VIKING’s tenders and projects director, defense and professional.
Heidi Bjerge Nüsser, VIKING’s vice president defence wind and aviation, added: “It broadens the range of vessels we supply to the Coast Guard, and we are proud to earn that confidence.”
The procurement is funded by the Public Investment Programme through the co-financed programme Fisheries, Aquaculture and Sea 2021–2027.
