According to information published by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan on May 22, 2024, a ceremony was held in Pingtung, Taiwan, to mark the naming and handover of two multifunctional patrol boats donated to Tuvalu.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Lin Dong-heng, representing the Taiwanese government, officially handed over the two patrol boats to Prime Minister Teo. The two patrol boats were named in the Tuvaluan language as “Te Kaleva” and “Te Akiaki.” Ambassador Lin emphasized that the donated patrol boats would significantly enhance Tuvalu’s coastal patrol operations, enhancing its search and rescue capabilities.
To aid Tuvalu in protecting marine resources and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, Taiwan and Tuvalu signed a Coast Guard Cooperation Agreement in September last year. This was followed by the signing of a contract in July for the donation of the patrol boats.