The contract for the Royal Danish Navy’s four new marine environmental protection and minelaying vessels has now been signed. The order has been awarded to Orlogsskibe Danmark, a consortium comprising OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft and Hvide Sande Shipyard. The consortium sees the contract as the beginning of a larger Danish role in the maritime reinforcement of the Royal Danish Navy.
For the first time since 2016, new vessels for the Royal Danish Navy will be built at Danish shipyards.
The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation has entered into a contract with the Orlogsskibe Danmark consortium for the construction of four new marine environmental protection and minelaying vessels for the Royal Danish Navy. The vessels will replace older marine environmental protection vessels and will have a dual role, enabling them to perform both environmental and military tasks for the Navy.
The Orlogsskibe Danmark consortium consists of OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft in Skagen and Hvide Sande Shipyard. OSK Design is responsible for the design, while the vessels will be built in collaboration between the two Danish shipyards. The partners bring extensive experience and have collectively accounted for around 75 percent of the total newbuild tonnage at Danish shipyards.
For the consortium, the contract is not only an order for four vessels. It is also an important step towards enabling Danish shipyards and maritime companies to play a greater role as the Royal Danish Navy is strengthened in the years ahead.
“Now that the contract is in place, the work can truly begin. For us, this is not only about four vessels. It is also about demonstrating that Danish industry can take on a greater role as the Royal Danish Navy is strengthened in the coming years. Denmark will need shipyards, engineers, skilled workers, subcontractors and knowledge of the vessels we are to use ourselves. This will also be relevant when decisions are made on the 21 forthcoming Naval Home Guard vessels. That is the development this contract sets in motion,” says Jacob Høgh Thygesen, CEO of OSK Design.
Danish design and Danish shipyards
For decades, Danish shipyards have delivered advanced vessels for civilian use, including fishing vessels, ferries, offshore supply vessels and specialised vessels for the Northern European market. With this new contract, Danish maritime expertise will once again be brought into play in a major delivery to the Royal Danish Navy.
At Hvide Sande Shipyard, the order is seen as an important step for maritime specialist skills.
“We are proud to be part of a project in which Danish shipyards will once again build vessels for the Royal Danish Navy. It means even more activity at the shipyards, it means work for specialised employees, and it means that we can help retain and develop maritime expertise in Denmark. As the Danish Armed Forces strengthen their capabilities, Danish industry and smaller local communities should also benefit,” says Carl Erik Kristensen, CEO of Hvide Sande Shipyard.
From contract to construction
With the contract in place, work on the four vessels now enters the next phase. The vessels will be built, fitted out and delivered to the Royal Danish Navy.
Orlogsskibe Danmark sees the project as an opportunity to demonstrate that Denmark can design, build, maintain and further develop the small and medium-sized vessels the Royal Danish Navy will need in the years ahead. This will be a key issue in the wider reinforcement of the Royal Danish Navy, where decisions will also be made on, among other things, 21 forthcoming Naval Home Guard vessels.
Proven construction strategy ensures delivery and maintenance
The consortium points out that security of supply is not only about where vessels are built, but also about how production is organised, ensuring that the Royal Danish Navy receives vessels delivered on time, at the right price and with the necessary knowledge anchored close to Danish shipyards.
The consortium therefore builds on a division of responsibilities in which each part of the task is placed where it can be carried out best. Large hulls are produced at Karstensens’ subsidiary in Poland, while smaller hulls, including, for example, Naval Home Guard vessels, can be built in Denmark. At the same time, design, completion, fitting-out, maintenance and specialised shipyard work will be anchored in Denmark.
“We have a proven construction strategy, where we do what we do best in the right places. The larger hulls are produced at our subsidiary in Poland, while smaller hulls, for example for Naval Home Guard vessels, can be produced in Denmark. This has helped significantly increase both activity and the number of jobs in Skagen and Hvide Sande. At the same time, it gives the Royal Danish Navy greater assurance that the vessels can be delivered on time and at the right price. A vessel is not finished on the day it is delivered. It must be maintained, upgraded and kept operational for many years. That is why it is a strength that Denmark has shipyards capable of taking responsibility for advanced maritime deliveries.” Knud Degn Karstensen, CEO, Karstensens Skibsværft.
Facts: The new marine environmental protection and minelaying vessels
- The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation has entered into a contract with Orlogsskibe Danmark for four new marine environmental protection and minelaying vessels for the Royal Danish Navy.
- The vessels will replace older marine environmental protection vessels and will undertake both civilian and military tasks, including environmental recovery, surveillance, training and minelaying.
- OSK Design is responsible for the design. The vessels will be built in collaboration between Karstensens Skibsværft and Hvide Sande Shipyard.
- The vessels are expected to be delivered in 2028–2030. The contract value is approximately DKK 1.9 billion.
Facts: Orlogsskibe Danmark
- Orlogsskibe Danmark is a Danish consortium consisting of OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft and Hvide Sande Shipyard. The consortium brings together Danish ship design, shipyard expertise and experience in advanced maritime deliveries.
For further information
Name: Carl Erik Kristensen
Title: CEO
Telephone: +45 24 60 10 73
Email: cek@seasightgroup.com
