Portuguese Navy Orders Damen's Multi-Purpose Vessel

Portugal's Navy has inked a deal with Damen Shipyards Group for the creation of an advanced multi-Purpose Vessel, measuring 107 meters.

Funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility as part of NextGenerationEU, the contract covers design, construction, and outfitting. The vessel, tailored to Portuguese Navy specifications, serves diverse roles, including oceanic research, search and rescue, emergency relief, maritime safety, and naval support.

Capable of deploying unmanned drones and helicopters, it features labs for scientific staff, a stern ramp for UUVs and USVs, a 94x11-meter flight deck, and hangars for UAVs. Classified as a Multifunctional Naval Platform (PNM), the vessel has a 650m2 cargo deck and space for twelve 20-foot containers, accommodating modular systems such as hospital facilities, hyperbaric chambers, or ROV equipment.

The Portuguese Navy already operates two Damen-built vessels, the Bartolomeu Dias-class multi-purpose frigates "NRP Bartolomeu Dias" and "NRP D. Francisco de Almeida".