Norway downselects Vard for coast guard vessel construction negotiations

The Norwegian government announced it has selected Vard to continue talks for the construction of three new vessels for the Norwegian Coast Guard.

After the government announced their intent to acquire the three vessels in September 2016, three shipbuilders submitted their proposals.

The government has now chosen Vard over shipbuilders Kleven and Westcon Yards to continue negotiations. Should negotiations with Vard be unsuccessful, however, the government said it would continue talks with either Kleven or Westcon Yards.

If the negotiations are successful, according to the government’s timetable, the project should be tabled for approval by the Norwegian Parliament in 2018. Delivery of the first vessel would be in 2022.

The three new vessels to be built will replace the service’s aging Nordkapp-class offshore patrol vessels built in the 1980s.

Earlier this year, Vard received a four-year contract the maintenance of five Norwegian Coast Guard Nornen-class vessels.