Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - A French Ship, LPD SIROCO will dock at Tema Harbour on October 18, this year for a four-day visit during which it will be engaged in a joint naval exercise of the two countries. Its tour is to strengthen the existing ties between Ghana and France.

A statement the French Embassy in Ghana issued on Wednesday said, "the ship is capable of landing and supporting a mechanized armoured regiment of a rapid deployment force.

LPD SIROCO, the statement said, was commissioned in 1998 and was involved many naval manouvres in peacekeeping in West Africa and East Timor. It is 168 metres long with a width of 23.50 metres and has a full load displacement of 12,000 tonnes with a maximum speed of 21 knots. It has a staff of 18 officers, 101 petty officers and a 99-member crew and is under the command of Captain Pierre-Marie.