OPV Replacement

[paul g]

For commercial reasons most companies won't reveal details until the tender is decided.

The other company is German.

[hptmurphy]

German would possibly equate to B + V which would be an enormous leap of faith on behalf of the NS given our last aquistions came from the UK which almost seems to specialise thse days in PV type ships.

A very niche market which Ireland could have had the monopoly on if things had worked out after L.E . Eithne.

[paul g]

From WOD's day in the Dail

442. Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the expected timetable for the acquisition of three new vessels for the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18116/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea): I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 441 and 442 together.
Following Government approval in July 2007, notice of a tender competition for the purchase of replacement vessels for the Naval Service was sent to the Official Journal of the European Union on 24 August 2007. The competition is for the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV’s) with an option of a third and one Extended Patrol Vessel (EPV) with an option on a second. The options provide an effective value for money opportunity, at locked in prices, to provide replacements for Naval Service vessels, which will reach the end of their service life in the years immediately following the current replacement programme.

Following Stage 1 of the tender competition for the OPVs, Stage 2 of the competition commenced on the 12th September 2008 with the issue of an Invitation to Tender to the shipbuilders who had been short-listed as part of the Stage 1 process. This document included a very detailed ship specification. The detailed tender responses were returned to the Department by the shipbuilders on the 11 November last. The Tender evaluation commenced immediately and continued for a number of weeks. Consultants were engaged under contract to assist with the tender evaluation. A preferred bidder has been selected and contract negotiations have recently commenced. No contract has yet been signed. However, I expect to bring this matter to Government shortly.
Subject to Government approval on funding, it is expected that the new vessels will be delivered for acceptance by the Naval Service on a phased basis between 2011 and 2013. The expected timetable for the delivery of the first OPV will be approximately 30 months after the date of signing of the contract whilst the specified delivery date for the second OPV will be approximately 37 months after the date of signing of the contract. If the Department exercises its option of purchasing a third OPV, a mutually agreeable delivery date shall be negotiated. These timelines are indicative and do not prejudice the right of the Department to adjust or alter the delivery schedule at the contract negotiation stage.

In the current difficult economic environment, it is important that we look to the efficiencies which all parts of the public sector can make so as to continue to deliver high quality public services within a more constrained financial resource envelope. However, it is also important that we continue to invest in public services so as we can maintain service levels into the future. Within the resources available to us, to maintain capacity, we need to continue the process of modernisation and reinvestment in the Defence Forces generally, into the future. The Naval Service Ships Programme is part of this process.
The acquisition of these modern new vessels will ensure that the Naval Service will be fully equipped to carry out its day to day roles in enforcing the State’s sovereign rights over our waters and our fisheries and meeting Ireland’s obligations in the area of maritime safety and security and fisheries protection. In relation to the larger EPV, the Department intends to complete the contract negotiations in relation to the OPV before the second stage of the EPV competition is initiated. As with the OPVs, any decision to award a contract for the purchase of an EPV must be approved by the Government.

Is it Appledore with a modified roisin, or a German ship?

[Goldie fish]

Either way, very positive news. I notice they are talking about the option on the third OPV too. Thats a first. Nothing is being ruled out. Hopefully by the time they go to second stage on the EPV, the ole recession will be history too.

[paul g]

Either way, very positive news. I notice they are talking about the option on the third OPV too. Thats a first. Nothing is being ruled out. Hopefully by the time they go to second stage on the EPV, the ole recession will be history too.

The only thing I'd be worried about would be that they'd buy the third OPV as a replacement for Orla and Ciara, which would be due replacement around 2014 or so, which would bring the flotilla down to seven.

[Goldie fish]

I anticipate 8 ships will be maintained, and the next white paper will seek an increase in this figure. However, I think the Peacock type of ship does not hold a future. Their capabilities are limited. It'll either be as big as the OPV, with Ribs that have longer legs, or similar in size to the customs cutter.

2 new OPVs. Maybe a third. In 4 years time we should have 3 new ships. The third will either be an OPV or EPV. If by then the political will is still there, and the recession is over(and the corrib field combined with the position of ireland as the main research hub for ocean energy make us wealthy again), we could see a 4th and even 5th ship, of both OPV and EPV. By then the next white paper will have decided the shape of the NS of the future.

But the important thing is to be thankful that the plan for vessel replacement is going ahead, the Opposition seem to want it(otherwise they wouldnt ask about it every month). Rather than predicting demise, why not look to the future with positivity.

[Goldie fish]

More from Thyssen Krupp, though I think this one is destined for Quatar...

Their Guardian Class.

http://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/bilder/produkte/Guardian-Qatar-Sea_spalterechts.jpg

[hptmurphy]

By all that activity looks lik eits going to be an off the shelf purchase which will reduce the cost...all good no R + D process.

[paul g]

If they're happy with Roisin and Niamh though, you might find that Appledore will have the inside track. And if the department have to pay in sterling, then at then moment, that might also be a deciding factor?

One thing about this ship is the large helicopter deck. I think we're more likely to end up with sonething like the scan eagle UAV the american use UAV wise

[Goldie fish]

The tender specifies that all prices must be in Euro. Remember the helideck will also be expected to carry containers.

[Goldie fish]

The SELECT COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, EQUALITY, DEFENCE AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS met last week to discuss the Defence Estimates.
This is what came up regarding the OPV.

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea):

With regard to the Naval Service, following the first two stages of the tender competition for two offshore patrol vessels, a preferred bidder has been selected and contract negotiations are expected to conclude shortly. The matter will then be brought to the Government for approval on financing. Subject to that approval, it is expected that the new vessels will be delivered for acceptance by the Naval Service on a phased basis between 2011 and 2013. If the Department exercises its option of purchasing a third offshore patrol vessel, a mutually agreeable delivery date will be negotiated. The first stage in the procurement process for a larger extended patrol vessel, EPV, also has been completed. However, it is intended to complete the negotiations on the two offshore patrol vessels before initiating the second stage of the EPV competition. The acquisition of these modern new vessels will ensure that the Naval Service will be fully equipped to carry out its day-to-day roles in enforcing the State’s sovereign rights over our waters and fisheries and in meeting Ireland’s obligations in the area of maritime safety and security and fisheries protection.


Deputy Jimmy Deenihan:
The procurement process for the Naval Service is ongoing. In view of the hairshirt budgets we will be facing over the next three years, does the Minister believe the money will be available to purchase new vessels? It is important that we be given an assurance in that regard. These vessels are badly needed in our continuing fight against drugs smuggling. We have a major problem in terms of policing our coastline and, while the Naval Service and Revenue’s custom enforcement officers are doing a very good job, they are only able to intercept a fraction of the drugs landed on our coasts. County Kerry alone has 300 miles of coastline, which is almost impossible to police properly. Even the major haul made off the Cork coast last year was more of an accident than anything else.


Deputy Willie O’Dea:
Deputy Deenihan also mentioned the offshore patrol vessels. As I outlined in my statement, we are almost ready to invite proposals from a preferred bidder and when they come in I will take them to Cabinet. We made provision, as members can see in the relevant subhead, for a down-payment if the Cabinet agrees to let me go ahead with the project. With regard to the extended patrol vessel, the first stage of that process is completed and we will leave the second stage until we see how we get on with the OPVs.

[Victor]

However, it is intended to complete the negotiations on the two offshore patrol vessels before initiating the second stage of the EPV competition.

Dangerous way to go about things. If they proceed to tender for hte EPV whil the others are being designed / under construction other shipyards are unlikely to offer meaningful bids as they will assume the OPV yard will get the contract.

[spud68]

looks like the navy will shrink in size over the next number of years

[Goldie fish]

looks like the navy will shrink in size over the next number of years

What makes you say that? Given that we are getting at least 3 new ships in the next 2-4 years, and no date for retirement has been earmarked for the P20 class they are intended to replace?

Basic maths

8+3-0 =? (Hint, the answer is not less than 8)


Why are there so many naysayers on this site? I mean they have picked the preferred bidder, the committee approving the estimates are clearly in support of the project.

How much more positive could things be, given the current economic constraints?

[DeV]

The P21 class will be soldiering on!