Damen Marks Significant Milestone with Portuguese Navy: Launching Steel Cutting and Keel Ceremony for Innovative Multi-Role Ship
Damen Shipyards Group organized a joint steel cutting and keel laying ceremony at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. This event simultaneously commemorated two significant milestones in the development of an innovative Multi-Purpose Vessel for the Portuguese Navy.
The ceremony was overseen by Damen’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jan-Wim Dekker, and included distinguished guests, such as the Portuguese Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo, and the Chief of Portuguese Naval Staff, Admiral Gouveia e Melo. The esteemed attendees participated in the steel cutting and keel laying for the vessel.
The contract for the ship was completed by both parties last November following a competitive bidding process. The initiative is backed by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which is a segment of NextGenerationEU—a financial recovery program aimed at supporting EU member states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admiral Gouveia e Melo from the Portuguese Naval Staff stated, “This ship represents an advanced concept engineered by the Portuguese Navy. It is a multi-domain vessel, specifically crafted for aerial, surface, and underwater missions. It is equipped to carry out a diverse array of operations, including scientific research and experimentation linked with drones and robotics, alongside emergency response and disaster management.”
“It offers substantial benefits in terms of construction, operational, and maintenance costs, possessing an open modular design that allows for quick adjustments based on the assigned missions.”
The Multi-Purpose Vessel is part of Damen’s Support Ship portfolio. This fleet, weighing between 7000-9000 tons, employs proven, standardized solutions whenever feasible, ensuring speedy, dependable, and cost-effective building processes.
In response to the proposal made by the Portuguese Navy, Damen has worked closely with its client to create a vessel customized to its unique specifications. The ship, named NRP Dom João II, features unmatched versatility, with capabilities encompassing scientific and technological investigation, search & rescue efforts, emergency aid, and maritime safety along with environmental & meteorological monitoring.
Recognizing the growing importance of drones and autonomous technologies in emergency response and reconnaissance, the Multi-Purpose Vessel is equipped to transport and deploy Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This includes a 94 x 11-meter flight deck for airborne operations.
The 107-meter-long vessel provides 650m² of deck area, suitable for accommodating up to twelve TEUs. These can host mission-specific modular systems, including medical facilities, hyperbaric chambers, and ROV equipment as required.
To facilitate maritime exploration and research, the Multi-Purpose Vessel will be equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and accommodations for scientific crews.
Minister Nuno Melo of Portuguese National Defence emphasized, “The vast maritime domain under Portuguese control constitutes a significant portion of the Exclusive Economic Zones of all European Union Member States. Ensuring protection of this area is vital, particularly as we confront escalating strategic competition in the North Atlantic. We must bolster our capabilities to address these challenges and safeguard the resources of our seabed, which hold immense strategic value.”
“The impending Multifunctional Vessel is a crucial element in tackling these challenges. By incorporating advanced technologies such as robotics for aerial, surface, and underwater missions, as well as artificial intelligence, we are positioning ourselves at the forefront of maritime innovation. This vessel will not only enhance operational efficiency and safety at sea but also contribute across multiple domains, from environmental oversight to fisheries management and scientific exploration.”
Damen’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jan-Wim Dekker, expressed, “We take pride in being entrusted to build this remarkable vessel for the Portuguese Navy. The steel cutting and keel laying at Damen Shipyards Galati mark significant progress in the development of this Multi-Purpose Vessel, enabling the Portuguese Navy to undertake the most demanding operations while also facilitating research endeavors in the ocean’s most profound areas. This further fortifies Damen’s strong partnership with the Portuguese Navy and showcases collaborative efforts within the European defense landscape.”
The NRP Dom João II is expected to be delivered in 2026 when she will join two other Damen-built vessels, the 122-meter-long NRP Bartolomeu Dias and NRP D. Francisco de Almeida.
