Spanish holding Rodman Polyships has executed an agreement to sell 31 patrol boats to Venezuela for USD 199 million, press sources told Efe.

Initialization of the agreement came following a pre-agreement with the corporation in October 2005, during President Hugo Chávez' visit to the Spanish region of Galicia. The deal established the creation of a shipyard in Venezuela and a trade exchange pact for the sale of patrol boats.

The boats will be 30, 20 or 17 meter long. They will not comprise US parts, with navigation and communication equipment free from trade rating, as they are surveillance, security and salvage ships, the sources added.

Technology transfer under the agreement will consist in supporting construction of a shipyard to build polyester boats, especially small-size fishing boats, in Venezuela. In this direction, Rodman Polyships is to provide technical assistance and moulds.