Côte d’Ivoire has reached a decisive milestone in securing its maritime boundaries.
The Plateau Naval Base in Abidjan served as the venue on Thursday, July 2, 2026, for the official christening and commissioning of two new coastal patrol vessels.
This strategic reinforcement, the result of a donation from China, illustrates the commitment to modernising the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI) championed by President Alassane Ouattara.
Presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, the ceremony honored the memory of two distinguished officers of the national navy.
The new warships were christened “Captain Blamassi” and “Commander Sanogo. By bestowing
these names, Côte d’Ivoire expressed its gratitude for the exemplary commitment of these sailors to their country, as their families and the godmothers of the two ships looked on with emotion.
With 566 kilometres of coastline, Côte d’Ivoire faces major and interconnected security challenges. Tene Birahima reiterated that protecting this vital economic space remains a national priority in
the face of scourges such as piracy, illicit trafficking, illegal fishing, and irregular migration.
“Through this donation, the Chinese government demonstrates the excellence of Sino-Ivorian bilateral cooperation,” the defense minister remarked, expressing President Ouattara’s gratitude for the continued support in strengthening Ivorian operational capabilities.
The two coastal patrol vessels have the following specifications: a length of 27 metres, a beam of 4 metres, a draft of 1.2 metres and an air draft of 8 metres, a displacement of 60 tonnes, a maximum speed of 20 knots, an endurance of two days, and a crew of 12 sailors.
In addition to combating maritime crime, these vessels will actively participate in search and rescue missions as well as the protection of the marine environment.
The defence minister called for professionalism and discipline to uphold Ivorian sovereignty in the
Gulf of Guinea.
AP/fss/as/APA