Norwegian shipyards Ulstein Group and Larsnes Mek Verksted have decided to work together to deliver 28 standard vessels for the Norwegian Navy.
Earlier this year, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) conducted a market survey to assess the Norwegian industry’s ability to deliver to their extensive vessel program.
Ulstein and Larsnes submitted a joint response and have since had several meetings with NDMA to discuss how this mission can be solved in collaboration.
“We see this as a strategically important opportunity for the Norwegian shipbuilding industry and are ready to deliver both quality and capacity in line with the Armed Forces’ needs,” stated Lars Lühr Olsen , Managing Director of Ulstein Verft, and Jarle Gunnarstein , General Manager of Larsnes Mek. Verksted.
Both shipyards have modern facilities with covered dry docks for the construction and outfitting of naval ships. The partners plan to carry out the production in the Gdynia–Gdańsk area in Poland.
Even when the hulls are being produced in Poland, up to 75-80% of the commercial projects’ value creation is Norwegian, they emphasized.
The naval vessels now being requested by the Navy are standardised, flexible platforms that can be adapted to various missions – from logistics and support operations to surveillance and preparedness. The vessels must operate effectively in Norwegian waters and under demanding climatic conditions, playing an important role in strengthening the Armed Forces’ operational capability and endurance.
“Our strength lies in complementing each other and having a common ambition to contribute to national preparedness and industrial development. Together, we can deliver a robust and future-oriented vessel program for the Navy,” the representatives from Ulstein and Larsnes concluded.