New consortium to build ships for the Danish defense

The upcoming Danish fleet plan, set to be decided within the defense agreement circle, will shape the future of the navy with a focus on speed and supply security, including domestic shipbuilding. A new consortium, comprising Karstensens Skibsværft, Hvide Sande Shipyard, and OSK Design, is ready to build Naval Support Vessels for the Danish defense. These vessels will support various naval operations, including environmental response, underwater surveillance, transport, intelligence gathering, and mine-laying.

Addressing maritime security challenges

Recent threats from Russia’s “shadow fleet” in Danish waters highlight the need for better surveillance and protection of undersea infrastructure. The new support vessels will play a crucial role in monitoring, safeguarding, and responding to maritime pollution, ensuring Denmark complies with the Helsinki Convention (HELCOM) and contributes to NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation in the Baltic Sea.

Ship Capabilities & Production

• The vessels are designed as support ships, not combat ships, but can serve as drone motherships and carry remote-controlled heavy machine guns for defense.
• Two models will be developed for operation across the entire Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland.
• Steel hulls will be built in Poland at Karstensens’ yard, with final outfitting completed in Hvide Sande and Skagen using Danish-produced equipment.
• If a contract is signed before summer 2025, the first ship could be operational by 2027, with all five ships delivered by 2030.

Proven Expertise

• Karstensens Skibsværft builds large fishing vessels and previously delivered the Arctic patrol ship Lauge Koch to the Danish navy.
• Hvide Sande Shipyard has delivered ferries, special-purpose vessels, and an environmental protection ship to Denmark’s fisheries authority.
• OSK Design has experience designing complex vessels for Norway’s Kystverket and the UK’s Northern Lighthouse Board.

Future Prospects

The consortium is committed to delivering high-quality, efficient ships to the Danish defense and is open to further projects, including Arctic vessels, icebreakers, coastal corvettes, missile boats, and maritime home guard vessels if needed.