The delivery of the new vessel, the Cayor, follows that of the Walo, received in August 2023, and the Niani, landed in Dakar in January 2024. These acquisitions are designed to strengthen the Senegalese navy, which is also expected to play a key role in the fight against maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

The French shipyard Piriou has built a 3rd patrol boat, named Cayor, in accordance with an order book signed in November 2019 with the Senegalese navy as part of the OPV 58 S program. Accepted on April 16, the specialized vessel is due to sail to Dakar in the coming weeks.

Measuring 62 m long and capable of carrying missiles with a range of over 30 km, it will be dedicated to coastal surveillance, identification, rescue, anti-piracy and other illicit trafficking missions.

Senegal's international waters are part of the Gulf of Guinea maritime area, which has seen a proliferation of pirate attacks in recent years.

According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), these incidents, which have disrupted civilian shipping and trade, are likely to resume as armed groups, most of whom have taken refuge in Nigeria's Delta State, remain active.

Agence Ecofin