Norway names its new coast guard vessel

The vessel was named by  Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, on 12 June at Vard Langsten in Norway.

”We are very pleased to be able to complete the last of the three Coast Guard vessels on time and with the quality that was requested when the contract was signed,” said Ronny Opsjøn Langset, yard director at Vard Langsten.

”Through a successful delivery, Vard proves that we are a leading shipbuilder and integrator of advanced defence vessels important for the strategic security of Norway. We would like to thank the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and the Coast Guard for their trust in this assignment.”

National security

KV Hopen will be very important for guarding Norway’s interests in the Norwegian economic zone (NØS) and the protection zone around Svalbard.

The vessel will contribute to strengthening the Coast Guard’s preparedness, capability and endurance along the coast and throughout Norway’s maritime area of interest.

Together, the three vessels have a total cost of NOK 8 billion NOK and are a large and important maritime acquisition for the country.

The contract to build three coast guard vessels was signed between the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and Vard on 25 June 2018.

Vard’s first two coast guard vessels, KV Jan Mayen and KV Bjørnøya, were handed over from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to the Navy in 2023.

In the main, Norwegian suppliers have been used for fitting out the Jan Mayen class. This has contributed to further developing national expertise and capacity in the country’s marine sector.

Jan Mayen class – fast facts

• KV Hopen is built under strict environmental and emission requirements and the three new vessels have CBRN protection, which means collective protection against chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear pollution
• The Jan Mayen class is a significantly larger vessel than the Nordkapp class and has capabilities such as ice reinforcement, modern technology, accommodation for 100 people, helicopter deck and hangar and can go eight weeks at sea without resupply of fuel, provisions and other consumables
• Like the other two vessels KV Hopen is 136.4 metres long and 22 metres wide and will be able to operate throughout Norway’s area of interest
• The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency designed the vessels together with LMG in Bergen, based on the Navy’s requirements
• The hulls are built by Vard Shipyards Romania – Tulcea and outfitted, finalised and delivered from Vard Langsten in Norway.