President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony for Coast Guard Administration patrol vessel Chiayi June 2 in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan.
 
Indigenous development of such state-of-the-art vessels is a top policy priority, as the country needs to enhance its patrol capacity while ensuring the safety of law enforcement officials, Tsai said.
 
In addition to showcasing the government’s commitment to defending Taiwan’s territory, the vessel’s construction has supported the local shipbuilding industry, she added.
 
Designed and manufactured by CSBC Corp. Taiwan, the 4,000-ton vessel is the largest in the CGA fleet and equipped with advanced medical facilities including an operating room and negative pressure isolation ward.
 
According to the Cabinet-level Ocean Affairs Council, Chiayi is capable of landing the ROC Navy’s S-70C helicopters and can be converted to a military vessel if necessary. With an endurance of more than 10,000 nautical miles, it can transport medical supplies to nearby countries and carry out other humanitarian missions.
 
Chiayi was built as part of the government’s indigenous patrol vessel development project announced in 2018. The 10-year, NT$42.6 billion (US$1.4 billion) undertaking will produce 141 vessels equipped with cutting-edge technology to protect Taiwan’s fishing rights and sovereignty.
 
The OAC said more than 8,000 job opportunities will be created in the process, with an expected economic benefit of NT$100 billion. (SFC-E)