Steel cut for Portuguese Navy’s new multipurpose ship

Dutch shipbuilding major Damen Shipyards Group has held a joint steel cutting and keel laying ceremony for the Portuguese Navy’s new multipurpose ship.

As disclosed, the ceremony took place at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. The contract for the ship was signed by the two parties in November last year following a tender process.

The project is funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) which is part of NextGenerationEU (the economic recovery package to support EU member states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic).

“This is a ship with a revolutionary concept that was conceived by the Portuguese Navy. It is a multi-domain ship, specifically in the air, surface, and subsurface components. It can carry out numerous and varied missions, such as scientific research and experimentation related to drones and robotics, as well as support in emergency and disaster situations,” Chief of Portuguese Naval Staff Admiral Gouveia e Melo said.

The ship, the NRP Dom João II, features 650 square meter deck space, suitable for the transportation of up to twelve TEUs. These can be used to house mission-specific modular systems such as hospitals, hyperbaric chambers and ROV equipment, as required.

The 107-metre vessel is capable of transporting and launching unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), unmanned surface vehicles (USV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). For the latter, this includes a 94 x 11 metre flight deck.

To facilitate oceanic exploration and research, the multi-purpose ship will feature laboratory facilities and accommodation for scientific personnel.

“The vast maritime area under Portuguese jurisdiction represents a big part of the Exclusive Economic Zones of all European Union Member States. Safeguarding this domain is essential, particularly as we face growing strategic competition in the North Atlantic. It is imperative that we strengthen our capabilities to address these threats and secure the resources of our seabed, which are of critical strategic value,” Minister of Portuguese National Defence Nuno Melo said.

“The cutting of steel and keel laying at Damen Shipyards Galati represent major steps forward in the construction of this Multi-Purpose Ship that will enable the Portuguese Navy to undertake 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,” Damen Chief Commercial Officer Jan-Wim Dekker added.

Van Meer has been contracted by Damen for the delivery of a drive system for the propulsion drives and the integration of a bow thruster drive system. Additionally, the company will supply an advanced battery system and battery converters, designed to enhance energy efficiency and support sustainable maritime operations. 

NRP Dom João II is scheduled for delivery in year 2026, after that it will join two other Damen-built vessels, the 122-metre-long NRP Bartolomeu Dias and NRP D. Francisco de Almeida.