Navy on Tuesday announced the launch of a 600-tonnes maritime patrol vessel (MPV) built for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).

The vessel is "a state of the art and multi-mission vessel with a steel hull and aluminum super structure," read a statement issued by the navy's media wing, adding that "the length of the vessel is 68.5 metres, breadth is 8.7 metres and it can achieve a top speed of 27 knots".

"The ship is fully equipped to enforce maritime security [and] search and rescue missions in the maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Pakistan," it said. The launch ceremony was held at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW).

The navy's media wing informed that the vessel was built with the technical collaboration of China Shipbuilding and Trading Company (CSTC).

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said the construction of the vessel was "yet another landmark project that speaks volumes of the evergreen friendship between China and Pakistan."

He added that responsibilities of Pakistan Navy and especially PMSA have increased manifolds after the start of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and extension in EEZ.

"If we capitalise on just 10 per cent of China’s external trade, it will be about five times the current volume of trade that we are carrying through our port," Admiral Abbasi said.

Earlier, KSEW Managing Director Syed Hasan Nasir Shah said that the MPV is one of the six vessels to be constructed as a part of a contract between the Ministry of Defence Production and CSTC.