Commencement of Steel Cutting for Portuguese Navy’s First NRP Logistical and Supply Ship

In Istanbul at the Ada Shipyard, the steel cutting ceremony has taken place, marking the start of constructing the first of two new logistical and supply NRP (Navios Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico) ships destined for the Portuguese Navy.

The future NRP Luís de Camões will be 137 meters long and have a displacement of 11,000 tons; the ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Portuguese Navy by 2028.

The propulsion will be of a hybrid diesel-electric type, reaching a maximum speed of over 18 knots, with an operational range of about 14,000 nautical miles at 14 knots, and an operational autonomy of 90 days.

The crew consists of one hundred officers, non-commissioned officers, and sailors, with onboard accommodations able to house an additional hundred people.

Each ship can carry a significant quantity of naval fuel (4,000 cubic meters), aviation fuel (350 cubic meters), potable water (650 cubic meters), and general cargo hold (700 cubic meters).

The NRE can move up to twenty armored tactical vehicles, which can be embarked and disembarked via a ramp; these ships will have ‘Roll on – Roll off’ (Ro-Ro) capabilities, in addition to six standard 20-foot containers; there will be a flight deck for operations with helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and a UAV hangar.

Furthermore, the NREs will be capable of conducting refueling operations for other ships at high sea and will be equipped with dedicated integrated command and control systems. They can be used in amphibious operations as well as provide self-protection systems, a pair of CIWS, and two RCWS for heavy machine guns, including missile countermeasure projection systems.

The ship is equipped with medical and sanitary supplies and additional modular equipment/accommodations to allow the units to be used in support of Civil Protection operations.