“Portuguese Navy Teams Up with Damen Shipyards to Launch Cutting-Edge Multi-Function Vessel”
The Portuguese Navy has secured a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for the innovative design, fabrication, and outfitting of a cutting-edge Multi-Purpose Vessel. The agreement was finalized by Director of Ships Rear Admiral Jorge Pires and Damen Shipyards Group CCO Jan Wim Dekker. This project follows a competitive European bidding process and is financed by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), part of the NextGenerationEU initiative aimed at bolstering EU member states affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Damen has meticulously crafted this 107-metre Multi-Purpose Vessel tailored to the exact demands of the Portuguese Navy. The resulting blueprint serves as a true multi-functional platform, featuring essential mission roles such as oceanic exploration, search and rescue operations, and emergency humanitarian aid, in addition to maritime safety and naval assistance missions. Consequently, the vessel will be adept at launching unmanned drones and helicopters.
For oceanic research and monitoring tasks, the vessel will boast laboratories and quarters for scientific personnel. Regarding naval assistance, the Damen-constructed vessel will encompass an array of design elements to facilitate such operations. This will include a stern ramp for UUVs and USVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles and Unmanned Surface Vehicles) along with a 94×11-metre flight deck and dedicated hangars for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
The new vessel will receive classification from the Portuguese Navy as a Multifunctional Naval Platform (PNM). To ensure this vessel meets its designation, Damen has worked closely with the Portuguese Navy to embed future-flexibility within the design. This includes a 650m² cargo deck and provisions for twelve 20-foot containers. Modular systems such as containerized hospital units, hyperbaric chambers, or ROV gear can be seamlessly integrated as needed.
“We are honored to have been chosen to construct this impressive vessel for the Portuguese Navy,” stated Damen Shipyards Group CEO Arnout Damen following the contract signing event. “We firmly believe that this vessel will mark a significant milestone in the naval industry. It stands as the first of its kind, boasting exceptional capabilities to enhance situational awareness, deploy, and manage all types of drones. The multi-functional capacity of this vessel will empower the Portuguese Navy to undertake the most challenging missions while concurrently conducting research activities in the ocean’s deepest realms. Additionally, it highlights Damen’s strong partnership with the Portuguese Navy and exemplifies enhanced cooperation within the European defense sector.”
The Portuguese Navy presently operates two Damen-built vessels. These are the 122-metre Bartolomeu Dias class multi-purpose frigates, NRP Bartolomeu Dias and NRP D. Francisco de Almeida. Both vessels previously served in the Royal Netherlands Navy (as Karel Doorman class frigates) before undergoing a comprehensive modernization program by Damen and the Dutch Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) agency.
