Alewijnse and Damen partner on the world's first ship to combine ocean research and drone deployment

This is the third vessel Alewijnse is building for the Portuguese Navy under contract with Damen. Previously, Alewijnse participated in the mid-life upgrade of the Portuguese Multipurpose (M) frigates N.R.P. Bartolomeu Dias (F333) and N.R.P. D. Francisco de Almeida (F334). However, this marks the first new-build ship that Alewijnse and Damen will deliver together for Portugal.

The multi-purpose vessel (MPV), named NRP D. João II, obtained funding by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) that is part of NextGenerationEU, the economic recovery package to support EU member states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revolutionary design
The vessel, measuring 107 meters in length, based on a concept developed by the Portuguese navy, is a revolutionary design that combines the capabilities of an amphibious transport ship and a research vessel, with a particular focus on drone operations. This versatile ship is designed for a range of missions, including oceanographic research, search and rescue operations at sea, disaster relief, maritime security, and support for naval operations. Due to its multifunctionality, the vessel is considered a milestone in maritime innovation.

For ocean research and monitoring activities, the ship will be equipped with laboratories and accommodation for scientific personnel. The operations are supported by the ability to launch Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) from the stern. Additionally, the ship features a 94x11 meter flight deck and hangars, suitable for helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Complete electrical installation
The ship will be constructed at Damen Shipyards in Galati, Romania, where Alewijnse also operates a significant facility. “We have the expertise and capacity to deliver the complete electrical installation for this advanced ship,” says Catalin Androne, Project Manager at Alewijnse. “This expertise, coupled with our proximity to the Damen yard in Galati, was a key factor in Damen's decision to choose Alewijnse.”

Alewijnse and Damen have a long history of collaboration, including the construction of highly complex naval vessels such as the new Dutch and Belgian Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates, the Combat Support Ship Den Helder, the Joint Support Ship Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman, the Landing Platform Dock Zr.Ms. Rotterdam, the Holland-class Oceangoing Patrol Vessels (OPVs), and Sigma Class Patrol Ships for the Indonesian and Mexican navies.

Partnership
Catalin added, “Our partnership with Damen is built on mutual respect and trust in each other's expertise. We are proud to leverage our extensive experience and top-tier electrical solutions to achieve an outstanding result together with Damen.”

In early October 2024, the cutting of the first steel and the keel-laying were celebrated at Damen's shipyard in Galati. Alewijnse's engineering work for the MPV has also commenced. The ship is expected to be delivered by mid-2026.