Handing Over Ceremony for “The Inshore Patrol Craft”
2026/4/2
On 2 April 2026, a Handover Ceremony for the Inshore Patrol Craft was held at the Funafuti Port. Ambassador of Japan to Tuvalu, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi TAJIMA, officially handed over an Inshore Patrol craft to the Government and people of Tuvalu.
This craft, funded by Japan, is a stability-focused catamaran-type vessel, measuring 10 meters in length and 4 meters in width, with a top speed of 30 knots. It is also an aluminum inshore patrol boat equipped with twin 300-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines.
In his remarks during the handover ceremony, Ambassador Tajima firstly acknowledged the valuable partnership of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), whose technical expertise and regional presence have been instrumental in delivering this project.
In addition, Ambassador highlighted that this patrol vessel would enhance Tuvalu’s ability to patrol its coastal waters, deter illegal activities and respond swiftly and safely to incidents at sea while Tuvalu faces growing maritime challenges including IUU fishing.
Japan believes that this handover must be matched with human capacity and information and forms part of a broader commitment to capacity building in Maritime Domain.
Japan is proud to support the provision of this inshore patrol craft. This assistance is aligned with Japan’s vision of Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Japan cooperation with Tuvalu is and will be guided by our shared belief in a Free, Open and Rules-Based Maritime Order.
This craft, funded by Japan, is a stability-focused catamaran-type vessel, measuring 10 meters in length and 4 meters in width, with a top speed of 30 knots. It is also an aluminum inshore patrol boat equipped with twin 300-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines.
In his remarks during the handover ceremony, Ambassador Tajima firstly acknowledged the valuable partnership of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), whose technical expertise and regional presence have been instrumental in delivering this project.
In addition, Ambassador highlighted that this patrol vessel would enhance Tuvalu’s ability to patrol its coastal waters, deter illegal activities and respond swiftly and safely to incidents at sea while Tuvalu faces growing maritime challenges including IUU fishing.
Japan believes that this handover must be matched with human capacity and information and forms part of a broader commitment to capacity building in Maritime Domain.
Japan is proud to support the provision of this inshore patrol craft. This assistance is aligned with Japan’s vision of Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Japan cooperation with Tuvalu is and will be guided by our shared belief in a Free, Open and Rules-Based Maritime Order.