Fugro and Damen have formed a partnership to supply the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) with a surveillance vessel and operating crew.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) has contracted this collaboration to bolster security operations within the Netherlands’ North Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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The operations will encompass both surface and sub-surface monitoring tasks.
This joint venture, formed by Fugro and Damen, will provide the vessel and crew for a two-year charter, with the potential to extend the agreement for up to two additional years.
The charter agreement, awarded via a public tender process, is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2025.
Damen Shipyards Group CEO Arnout Damen said: “We are very proud of this alliance with Fugro and the confidence the Ministry of Defence has placed in us for executing this important contract.
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By GlobalData“The Damen way of working means we can deliver a vessel quickly and, with Fugro, we can start work at short notice to monitor and protect the strategic interests of the Netherlands in the North Sea.”
The Damen FCS 5009 vessel, featuring a Sea Axe bow design for enhanced seakeeping abilities, will perform the charter.
This vessel, measuring 53.2m in length and with a deck area of 240m2, is designed for “fast, safe and comfortable” transportation of crew and cargo.
It can accommodate up to 80 personnel, reach a maximum speed of 24 knots, and is equipped for emergency towage and crane operations.
The project is financed by the North Sea Infrastructure Protection Program (PBNI), managed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Fugro CEO Mark Heine said: “At Fugro, our mission is to create a safe and liveable world. Keeping our underwater infrastructure in the North Sea safe is integral to this, and by working together with Damen and the RNLN, we can contribute to national security and surveillance efforts.
“We have previously showcased our experience in monitoring critical underwater infrastructure to the Dutch Ministry of Defence and look forward to continuing to work with them. We are also excited to work with Damen on this. Damen has a long history of providing vessels to the RNLN and Fugro. By joining forces, we’re showcasing the innovative strength of the Dutch maritime industry.”
This development comes after earlier this month the Royal Netherlands Navy announced that its first mine countermeasures vessel, Vlissingen, commenced its maiden sea trials from Concarneau, France.
The trials are part of a series of assessments to verify the ship’s capabilities at sea, with additional tests planned for all onboard systems ahead of the vessel’s final delivery.
