BMT partners with Turkish yard on Bahrain patrol boats

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — U.K. based BMT Nigel Gee (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group, has again partnered with Turkey’s Ares Shipyard. This time BMT and Ares will design and build six 18 m patrol boats for the Bahrain Coast Guard. The boats will be constructed of advanced composites and have a maximum design speed in excess of 35 knots. The contract also has an option for an additional six vessels.

Sea trials are expected to take place at the end of September 2013.

Undertaking the full detailed design including hull form optimisation, structural design and machinery layout, BMT’s team of naval architects has worked closely with the shipyard to develop a design that meets the customer’s explicit desire to maximize living space below decks, as well as create an operationally effective vessel.

“Developing a vessel that far exceeds the customer’s expectations in both looks and more importantly, performance, could only be made possible through the harmonious partnership between BMT and Ares Shipyard,” said Kerim Kalafatoglu, Managing Director of Ares Shipyard

“We are pleased to be supporting Ares Shipyard with the design of this high performance patrol boat which yet again demonstrates our expertise in specialist vessel design,” said John Bonafoux, BMT Nigel Gee’s Managing Director. “We have worked with Ares on a number of recent projects and given the growth in the market for such specialist types of vessels, we hope to develop this relationship further.”

Privately owned Ares Shipyard Ltd is located on the southern shores of Turkey, inside the Free-Trade Zone by the coastal port of Antalya. Specializing in the manufacture of military and para-military patrol vessels and working boats, predominantly from advanced composite materials and aluminum, it has been successful in delivering a range of projects and vessels to navies, coast guard services and a variety of other civil enforcement agencies worldwide. The shipyard is accredited nationally by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense within Turkey and is a NATO Approved Supplier.

Ares has recently completed the purchase of an adjacent facility that will expand its capabilities four-fold, both in production volume and size of vessel.