Morocco Bolsters Naval Fleet with Delivery of Moulay Hassan I Patrol Vessel

Agadir, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s Royal Navy has taken delivery of the new high-seas patrol vessel Moulay Hassan I, built by Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia, marking the completion of a shipbuilding project launched in 2023.

The delivery milestone was formally signed at Navantia’s San Fernando shipyard in Cádiz on September 17. The handover was conducted without a public ceremony, in accordance with an agreement between Navantia and the Moroccan military.

The Moulay Hassan I is based on Navantia’s Avante 1800 design and was constructed at the San Fernando shipyard. Construction began in July 2023, the keel was laid in September 2024, and the vessel was launched on May 27, 2025, before undergoing sea trials in the Bay of Cádiz.

The patrol vessel is 87 meters long and 13 meters wide, with a full-load displacement of approximately 2,020 tons. It can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots and accommodate a crew of around 60 personnel. Its propulsion system comprises four MAN 175D main engines and five Baudouin 6 M26.3 marine generator sets.

Designed for extended maritime operations, the vessel will support maritime surveillance and other long-duration missions. It features a helicopter deck and facilities for smaller boats, while its Avante 1800 platform allows for the integration of different weapons and sensor configurations.

The agreement also includes a technical and logistical support package covering spare parts, tools, technical documentation and specialized training for Moroccan naval personnel in Spain. The construction project generated more than one million hours of work and around 1,100 direct, indirect and induced jobs, according to Navantia-related reporting.

The delivery marks the return of Spanish naval shipbuilding to Morocco’s fleet after more than four decades. The Moroccan Royal Navy previously received the Spanish-built Lieutenant Colonel Errahmani, a Descubierta-class corvette, in 1983.

The delivery further adds to the maritime cooperation between Morocco and Spain and comes amid renewed attention to bilateral relations, including developments surrounding migration and security in the Strait of Gibraltar and the wider region.