The Maritime Service of the Civil Guard will renew the fleet with a new ocean vessel which will work on the prevention of cross-border crime and maritime security: the ship ‘Duke of Ahumada‘. This new ship will also participate in humanitarian missions, fighting against irregular immigration, drug trafficking and human trafficking, as Benemérita herself explains in a press release.
The “Duque de Ahumada” will replace the “Río Miño” once its useful life is over. This ship will also help preserve the marine environment by integrating cutting-edge technologies that will minimize its ecological footprint and contribute to the fight against marine pollution.
A large capacity ship
It will have five bridges, with heliporttwo rapid intervention vessels and a rov – remotely operated underwater vehicle – for underwater inspection and monitoring up to one kilometer deep. It will also be equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communications equipment, hospital and nursing care spacessafety zone and shipwrecked area for a minimum of 100 people.
It will have a range of more than 11,000 miles, with the capacity to stay at sea without touching port for up to 30 days. It will be able to reach a speed of 18 knots and will have a patrol speed greater than 11. It will also be able to accommodate 44 crew members and 12 non-crew members on board.
Ocean ship ‘Duque de Ahumada’
This new ship was co-financed with funds from the specific equipment action of the European agency Frontex and its construction is being carried out by the Armón shipyards. As the force indicated, it will be in service in the last quarter of 2025, although this Wednesday the command of the Border and Maritime Police of the Civil Guard, Lieutenant General Manuel Navarrete, presided over its launch in the port of Vigo .
The Maritime Service is made up of approximately 150 naval units between ocean-going ships, ocean-going ships, medium, light and support patrol boats.
