Portugal has announced plans to reinforce surveillance efforts in the San Tomean sea and the Gulf of Guinea by replacing its patrol ship, the NRP “Zaire,” which has completed a successful five-year mission in São Tomé.
The Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, confirmed the ship’s retirement during meetings with Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada and Defense Minister Jorge Amado in the São Toméan capital.
Gouveia e Melo revealed that the NRP “Zaire” would be replaced by a faster vessel with enhanced operational capabilities to respond promptly to emergencies.
Another accompanying ship will also be deployed to São Tomé and Príncipe to support the mission.
The Chief of Staff emphasized the shared maritime safety concerns affecting the region and expressed the commitment of Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe to cooperation in this area.
Highlighting the importance of São Tomé and Príncipe as an essential partner in Portugal’s common security strategy in the Gulf of Guinea, Gouveia e Melo stressed the need to ensure regional security and peaceful development for all populations engaged in maritime transportation.
He praised the successful collaboration between Portuguese and São Tomense crews, working side by side on the NRP “Zaire” over the past five years, operating 5,000 kilometers from their bases while consistently accomplishing their missions.
The Portuguese embassy in São Tomé and Príncipe acknowledged the unique nature of the NRP “Zaire” mission, which involved a joint garrison of 23 Portuguese military personnel and 14 São Tomense.
This experience has enriched the technical knowledge and seamanship skills of the São Tomense soldiers, equipping them with greater capacity for future naval operations and ensuring the safety of navigation within their maritime territory.
During its mission, the NRP “Zaire” conducted various training activities, including health, damage control, ship boarding, and maintenance.
The vessel amassed an impressive record, covering over 2,000 mission days over 37,000 miles.
Notably, it successfully conducted 19 search and rescue operations, saving 18 lives, as well as engaged in joint inspections, maritime security actions against piracy, ship inspections at sea, and international exercises.
A ceremony will mark the conclusion of the NRP “Zaire” mission presided over by Henrique Gouveia e Melo, the Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy, on Saturday.