Cardama shipyard begins work on Uruguay's patrol boats with the first unit sheet cutting

Vigo’s shipyard Cardama begins construction of C-250 and C-251 vessels. Keel laying is expected in May, "fulfilling contract schedule."

Cardama Shipyard made history last December by winning what is considered the largest order in its over 100-year history: two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ordered by the Uruguayan Ministry of Defence for more than €80 million. Following that, Vigo’s shipyard began construction, finalizing drawings and vessels engineering before getting down to work on the steel, a stage that has just arrived. Cardama began cutting sheet for the first unit, construction C-250, and plans to lay the keel in May, "fulfilling contract schedule."

The shipyard headed by Mario Cardama achieved today this milestone in the OPVs building, which will be 86.75 meters long, reach a speed of 21 knots, and have a crew capacity of 98 people. The operation at the Vigo’s shipyard comes just over a month after Cardama himself met with the country's then-future president, Yamandú Orsi, last elections winner.

Cardama vessels, which will be built C-250 and C-251, will have a range over 7,000 nautical miles thanks to their design and Caterpillar engines they will carry, with a total installed power of 10,120 kW. For their surveillance duties in Uruguayan territorial waters, they will be equipped with weapons, specifically a 30mm cannon and two 12.7mm machine guns from the Spanish firm Escribano. In addition, the OPVs will have fire control systems from Danish company Terma.
The design is certified by the Spanish firm Cintranaval, and the construction will be certified/classified by Lloyd's Register.
This entire operation follows the first two payments from Uruguayan government, which reflects that both parties have been meeting established deadlines for the delivery of both units.

(Source: Faro de Vigo)