The ceremony was attended by the Portuguese Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo, and the Chief of Portuguese Naval Staff, Admiral Gouveia e Melo. Both dignitaries were involved in the symbolic steel cutting and keel laying.
The vessel’s construction is part of a contract signed in November last year, following a tender process. The project is funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), part of the NextGenerationEU economic recovery initiative.
Admiral Gouveia e Melo described the ship as a "revolutionary concept" designed by the Portuguese Navy to operate across air, surface, and subsurface domains. The vessel will carry out diverse missions, including scientific research, emergency response, and disaster relief. With its modular architecture, the ship allows for swift adaptation to different tasks, offering significant advantages in construction and operation costs.
The 107-metre Multi-Purpose Ship, named NRP Dom João II, is part of Damen’s Support Ship range and is designed for versatility. It includes capabilities for scientific research, search and rescue, maritime safety, and environmental monitoring. Equipped with advanced technology, the vessel will carry Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), featuring a large flight deck to support these operations.
With a 650m² deck and capacity for up to twelve TEUs, the ship is adaptable to mission-specific needs, including medical facilities and oceanic research equipment. Laboratory spaces and accommodations will also support scientific missions.
Defence Minister Nuno Melo emphasized the strategic importance of safeguarding Portugal’s vast maritime area, which accounts for a substantial portion of the European Union’s Exclusive Economic Zone. He noted that the vessel would play a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s capabilities, particularly in addressing competition in the North Atlantic and securing valuable seabed resources.
Damen’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jan-Wim Dekker, highlighted the strong partnership between Damen and the Portuguese Navy, saying the vessel would enable the navy to perform its most challenging missions while also advancing maritime research in the Atlantic.