Spain’s Freire Shipyard has secured a contract with Sweden to build four naval support vessels designed for operations in icy waters and severe weather, strengthening maritime logistics and response capabilities.
Each vessel will measure about 47 meters (154 feet) in length, reach speeds of up to 12 knots (22 kilometers/14 miles per hour), and remain at sea for up to 10 days.
The ships will accommodate a crew of 16.
The new fleet will use a diesel-electric propulsion system intended to improve fuel efficiency while lowering emissions.
The configuration includes four variable-speed generators and a direct-current power distribution setup, supporting compliance with strict environmental standards and enabling more efficient energy management during operations, according to Ocean News.
To support logistics missions, the vessels will be fitted with two primary deck cranes plus an auxiliary crane for handling supplies, allowing crews to load and unload cargo independently.
A stern ramp will enable vehicles and other wheeled equipment to be driven directly onboard, expanding transport flexibility.
Boosting Maritime Capabilities
Stockholm is strengthening its naval capabilities through a series of recent acquisitions.
Earlier this month, France’s Naval Group signed a partnership with Oresund Drydocks AB to help establish domestic maintenance capacity for Sweden’s future Defense and Intervention Frigate fleet.
The agreement covers long-term servicing, technical knowledge transfer, and lifecycle support, aiming to keep the ships operational while reinforcing Sweden’s defense industrial base.
The first delivery is expected to take place in 2030.
In January, Teledyne Gavia, part of Teledyne Marine, delivered the first four GAVIA autonomous underwater vehicles to the Scandinavian nation.
The systems use a modular design that allows quick adaptation for different missions, such as mine countermeasures and intelligence gathering.
