Finland to build Cyprus fisheries patrol boat

A Finnish company has been commissioned by the Cyprus government to design and build a heavy duty fast patrol boat for the inspection and control of fisheries.

The contract worth EUR 2.3 mln was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment and the Finnish company Tyovene Oy-Uki Workboat Ltd.

The patrol boat will be used for the needs of the Cypriot government and the European Union regarding fisheries control, especially in the eastern Mediterranean.

Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Fotis Fotiou said that the government is continuously upgrading its infrastructure to manage improve its resources, in particular those relating to fisheries in order to align them with EU policy.

He said the project is co-financed with the EU by 50% and the boat will be ready by the end of 2007.

Finland’s ambassador in Nicosia, Risto Pipponen, whose country holds the six-monthly rotating EU presidency, expressed satisfaction with the agreement and said Finland is one of the most important vessel constructors in the EU.