The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) announced that a contract for new marine environment and minelaying vessels for the Royal Danish Navy was signed on 4 February. The vessels will be capable of laying mines and supporting the Navy in missions such as maritime surveillance and the assertion of sovereignty.
Denmark MoD press release – Translated by Naval News
Earlier this year, the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation signed a contract for the new marine environment and minelaying vessels, which will be delivered by the consortium Orlogsskibe Danmark K/S. The consortium consists of three Danish companies: OSK Design A/S, Karstensens Skibsværft A/S, and Hvide Sande Shipyard.
“I am pleased to sign this agreement. With the acquisition of these new vessels, the Royal Danish Navy will receive modern capabilities for marine environmental response. With new vessels, tasks within the marine environment field will be carried out efficiently and in accordance with the conventions to which Denmark is a party,”
Flotilla Admiral Claus Lundholm Andersen, head of Navy Programs at DALO.
On 10 June 2026, steel cutting for the production of the first hull began at Karstensens Skibsværft’s yard in Gdańsk, Poland. Hull construction is expected to take about one year, after which the hull will be towed to Hvide Sande for further outfitting. Production of the hull for the next vessel will begin subsequently.
Cooperation with the Ministry for Societal Security and Emergency Management
The decision to procure the new marine environment and minelaying vessels forms part of the political sub-agreement on a fleet plan under the current Danish defence settlement. The new vessels will replace the existing capabilities in this area and, in addition to carrying out marine environment tasks, will also be fitted to lay mines and support other naval missions such as maritime surveillance and sovereignty enforcement.
The vessels are being procured by FMI and will be crewed by the Royal Danish Navy, but they will be deployed on marine environment missions by the Ministry for Societal Security and Emergency Management, which is responsible for Denmark’s marine environment remit. Deliveries are planned to enable operational introduction starting around the turn of 2029.
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