The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Senegal to France, El Hadji Magatte Seye, and Admiral Abdou Sene, the Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Navy. It marks the successful culmination of a construction program that underscores the effective partnership between the Senegalese Navy and the French industrial group. This collaboration further solidifies Piriou’s standing as a significant player in the military vessel shipbuilding sector.
The contract between the Ministry of the Armed Forces of Senegal and Piriou Group was signed in November 2019 and came into effect on September 30, 2020. It entailed the acquisition of three 62-meter offshore patrol vessels designated for Senegal’s Maritime Defense and State Action at Sea. Following the delivery of WALO in June 2023, which arrived in Dakar in August 2023, and NIANI, delivered in November 2023 and reaching Dakar in January, CAYOR now proudly bears the Senegalese flag. Its completion signifies the conclusion of a construction program that engaged hundreds of employees over four years, amounting to more than 600,000 working hours.
Vincent Faujour, President of Piriou, expressed gratitude to the Senegalese Navy for their trust. He highlighted that the OPV 58S program was the result of years of collaborative efforts between Piriou’s teams and those of the Senegalese Navy, speaking with heartfelt appreciation.
“We were committed to being worthy of the trust that Senegal had placed in us, committed to building ships with remarkable deterrence and projection capabilities. We have designed and built new-generation patrol vessels that will further strengthen the Senegalese Navy’s defence posture and enable the Navy to cover the full range of State actions at sea missions it is responsible,” said Faujour.
Highlighting the centrality of human values within maritime operations, he paid homage to the memory of the five Senegalese commandos who tragically perished during their mission. He emphasized the significance of honoring the trust bestowed upon them by the Senegalese nation and its seafarers, who often undertake perilous tasks in safeguarding their country’s security and sovereignty.
Furthermore, the President of Piriou acknowledged and commended the dedication exhibited by the teams from Piriou and Kership, the industrial contractor for the project, along with all collaborative partners, including Naval Group. Their collective efforts were instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution of the program. Drawing from the successful experience gained from the construction of the OPV 87 for Argentina, Piriou replicated this industrial framework by distributing the hull production for the OPV 58 S between its Concarneau shipyard and the Lorient facility, where Kership, a joint subsidiary of Piriou and Naval Group, operates.
Moreover, in conjunction with the French Navy and DCI Navfco, Piriou actively participated in training and mentoring seafarers in ship handover procedures and the utilization of combat systems, further enhancing operational capabilities and readiness.
“The delivery of the CAYOR marks the completion of a major program for the Kership teams in Concarneau and Lanester. I would like to congratulate them, and extend my warmest thanks to the Senegalese Navy, with whom we have enjoyed working on a daily basis over the past few years,” said Éric Langlois, Kership’s President.
“We are very honoured to have contributed to the success of this project for the Senegalese navy, which once again demonstrates the success and performance of the cooperation between Kership, Piriou and Naval Group”, said Olivier de la Bourdonnaye, Naval Group’s Executive Vice President, Surface Ship.
The program was brought to a successful conclusion, meeting the designated timeline. Shortly, the CAYOR will be united with her two sibling vessels, the WALO and NIANI. These contemporary vessels, equipped with advanced weaponry, have already demonstrated their effectiveness in various missions, encompassing search and rescue efforts, countering illicit trafficking, and combating sea pollution.
“The OPV58S program is a successful part of our commercial relationship, and it is also an industrial success that contributes to reinforcing PIRIOU’s position as a key player in military vessels shipbuilding industry” said Vincent Faujour.
He went on to add, “An important chapter has come to an end, but the story is not over yet: I’ve spoken about design, construction and training. In this respect, be assured that our teams in Dakar are and will remain fully committed to guaranteeing the highest level of operational availability for the OPVs. “
The OPV 58 S, a 62-meter offshore patrol vessel, stands out as a highly versatile asset designed for a multitude of missions. Its robust construction ensures durability, making it well-suited for surveillance, identification, and intervention operations crucial to law enforcement activities. Boasting projection capabilities with its commando boats and armed with advanced anti-surface and anti-aircraft weapons systems, it presents a formidable deterrence capability.
Noteworthy innovations and capabilities of this vessel include its adaptable design to accommodate various mission requirements, a spacious panoramic bridge providing 360° visibility, and a rapid launching and recovery system for two RHIBs via the stern ramp. Its C-Sharp® hull design optimizes autonomy and seakeeping, while its high-performance monitoring and combat system further enhance operational effectiveness.
Equipped with MARTE MK2/N anti-ship missiles boasting a striking range of over 30 kilometers and a fire-and-forget capability, these vessels empower the Senegalese Navy to assert its maritime superiority. Immediate defense for the patrol vessels is assured by the SIMBAD-RC system, capable of deploying two MISTRAL missiles, providing robust protection against a range of threats including anti-ship missiles, combat aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, and fast craft such as FIACs. These cutting-edge missile systems are supplied by MBDA.
Key specifications of the OPV 58 S include an overall length of 62.20 meters, a breadth of 9.50 meters, and a draft of approximately 3.00 meters. Operating at a speed of 21 knots, with an autonomy of 21 days and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots, it ensures prolonged operational endurance. Constructed with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, the vessel accommodates a crew of 48, including 36 crew members and 12 mission personnel. Additionally, it has the capability to carry two 20-foot containers for enhanced mission flexibility.
