The first vessel, Walo, was delivered in July 2023, and since then it has been involved in maritime security operations that have seen it board dozens of vessels carrying drugs, mainly to Spain. During the Niani’s handover in France, Piriou Group President Vincent Faujour said the Walo “has participated steadily in maritime border surveillance operations, the protection of offshore oil and gas installations, fisheries surveillance and, above all, the fight against illegal emigration. The OPV 58 S design is based on the ‘C-Sharp’ (Combined-Speeds Hull with All-Round Performances) hull developed by Piriou and Kership, which increases the ship’s endurance and seagoing capabilities.