Turkish shipbuilder Ares has completed sea trials for the first of two 48-metre offshore patrol boats for the Qatar Coast Guard.
Designed by UK-based BMT, the 48-metre Ares 150 Hercules achieved a maximum speed of 37 knots during trials.
Shipyard Chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu said Qatar has ordered another three 48-metre vessels since the trials.
The shipyard is close to completing its 17-vessel order from the Qatar Ministry of Interior. It included five 24-metre vessels, 10 34-metre vessels and the two 48-metre vessels.
BMT was responsible for the naval architecture, including hull development, class level design and engineering work on all three vessel sizes.
