The Bangladesh Coast Guard has selected French naval architecture specialist MAURIC to undertake the design studies for five new 38-metre Riverine Patrol Vessels, strengthening the service’s capability to conduct maritime security, surveillance and counter-trafficking operations in the country’s extensive riverine and coastal environments.
The contract represents another success for MAURIC in the Asian market and will see the company working alongside Norwegian partner NORDIC NAVAL AS to provide the complete design package and major equipment selection for the programme. Construction of the five vessels is scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026 at Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited in Bangladesh.
Designed specifically for riverine and coastal security operations, the new patrol vessels will measure 38 metres in length, feature a steel hull with aluminium superstructures and be capable of speeds of up to 22 knots. Each vessel will be fitted with a remotely operated 30 mm weapon station and will accommodate up to 29 personnel during missions of up to 10 days’ duration.
The vessels are expected to support a broad range of operational tasks, including maritime surveillance, counter-trafficking missions, law enforcement operations and the protection of Bangladesh’s territorial waters and critical maritime infrastructure.
According to MAURIC, the design selected by Bangladesh is based on the company’s established family of Coastal Patrol Vessels, which have already demonstrated their performance in operational service. The proven capabilities of these existing platforms reportedly played a significant role in the selection process.
A delegation representing the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited recently visited MAURIC’s headquarters in Marseille as part of the programme’s development. Follow-on discussions involving all project partners were also held at the SMM maritime exhibition in Hamburg.
Commenting on the award, Fabrice Ghozlan, Commercial and Business Development Director at MAURIC, said the contract demonstrated the growing international appeal of the company’s patrol vessel designs.
“This latest success in Asia confirms the relevance of our patrol vessel design range beyond European frontiers and particularly across the Asian and Middle Eastern markets,” he said.
“We offer tailor-made solutions adapted to operational requirements and local constraints while building on reliable, high-performance and sea-proven designs. The hull forms developed by MAURIC have become recognised references in the patrol boat and offshore patrol vessel markets.”
The programme represents a further step in the modernisation of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, which continues to invest in new maritime security capabilities to address challenges ranging from trafficking and illegal activities to the protection of coastal and inland waterways.