The Portuguese Navy has contracted Damen Shipyards Group for the design, development and outfitting of a multi-purpose vessel.
The contract was signed by Director of Ships Rear Admiral Jorge Pires and Damen Shipyards Group CCO Jan Wim Dekker. The undertaking follows a European tender course of and is funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) that’s a part of NextGenerationEU (the financial restoration bundle to assist EU member states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic).
Damen has developed this 107-metre lengthy multi-purpose vessel primarily based on the precise necessities of the Portuguese Navy. The multi-purpose platform has major mission roles together with oceanic analysis, search and rescue, and emergency aid along with maritime security and naval assist operations. The vessel might be able to deploying unmanned drones and helicopters.
For the oceanic analysis and monitoring scope of operations, the vessel might be outfitted with laboratories and lodging for scientific employees.
For the naval assist facet, the vessel can have quite a few design options to allow such operations. This will comprise a stern ramp for unmanned underwater autos and unmanned floor autos in addition to a 94×11-meter flight deck and hangars for unmanned aerial autos.
The new vessel might be labeled by the Portuguese Navy as a Multifunctional Naval Platform (PNM). To totally match this vessel designation, Damen has collaborated intently with the Portuguese Navy to include future-versatility into the design. This consists of a 650m2 cargo deck and house for 12 20-foot containers. Modular techniques corresponding to containerised hospital amenities, hyperbaric chambers, or ROV gear can due to this fact be put in as required.
Damen Shipyards Group CEO Arnout Damen stated: “We are convinced that this vessel will represent a major milestone in the naval sector. It is the first of its kind, with the highest capabilities to create awareness, deploy and manage all types of drones. This vessel’s multi-purpose functionality will enable the Portuguese Navy to develop the most demanding missions and at the same time the ability to perform research activities in the deepest areas of the ocean. It also underlines Damen’s firm relationship with the Portuguese Navy and shows a further example of European defence industry cooperation”
The Portuguese Navy at the moment has two Damen-built vessels in service. These are the 122-metre lengthy Bartolomeu Dias class multi-purpose frigates NRP Bartolomeu Dias and NRP D. Francisco de Almeida. Both vessels initially served within the Royal Netherlands Navy (as Karel Doorman class frigates) earlier than present process a considerable modernisation programme by Damen and the Dutch Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) company.
