The event signifies a major step in the development of the 107-metre vessel, known as the NRP Dom João II. This new ship, funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) under the NextGenerationEU programme, is designed to carry out a range of missions in the air, surface, and subsurface domains.
Speaking at the ceremony, Admiral Gouveia e Melo emphasised the ship’s revolutionary design. “It is a multi-domain ship, capable of scientific research, drone experimentation, and emergency support,” he stated. The vessel’s modular architecture allows for quick adaptations to meet various mission requirements, offering efficiency in both construction and operation.
The ship is part of Damen’s Support Ship range, which includes vessels between 7,000 and 9,000 tons. The NRP Dom João II will have a 650m² deck, suitable for up to twelve TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), with potential uses including modular hospital systems, hyperbaric chambers, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipment.
The Portuguese Navy, working closely with Damen, designed the ship to enhance maritime safety, environmental monitoring, and oceanic research. The vessel will also play a key role in emergency relief efforts, and it is equipped with advanced technology to deploy unmanned vehicles – underwater, surface, and aerial. The 94 x 11-metre flight deck will allow the launch of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Minister Nuno Melo stressed the strategic importance of the ship, particularly for safeguarding Portugal’s vast maritime jurisdiction. “This vessel is crucial for strengthening our capabilities in the face of increasing competition in the North Atlantic,” Melo said. “It positions us at the forefront of maritime innovation, not just for defence but for environmental monitoring and scientific research.”
Damen’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jan-Wim Dekker, expressed pride in the collaboration with the Portuguese Navy. “The steel cutting and keel laying represent major progress in building this versatile ship, which will enable the Portuguese Navy to perform demanding missions, as well as deep ocean research,” Dekker said.
