Three coast guards delivered

VARD has successfully delivered three coastguard vessels that will contribute to strengthening the Coast Guard's preparedness, capability, and endurance along the coast and throughout Norway's maritime area of interest.

24. September 2024

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. 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, says Ronny Opsjøn Langset, Yard Director at Vard Langsten.

Jan Mayen Class

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

KV Jan Mayen, KV Bjørnøya and KV Hopen were delivered in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

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

- This is a milestone for Norway as a maritime nation. With these vessels, we will have a modern fleet designed to operate in the demanding High North with the technology that today's defence requires, says Oliver Berdal, Chief of the Navy.

Developing national expertise

Mainly Norwegian suppliers have been used for finalizing the Jan Mayen class. This contributes to further developing national expertise and capacity in the maritime industry. This is important in terms of local and national value creation, but also important from a security and preparedness perspective.

Integrated value chain

VARD has long shipbuilding traditions and an extensive track record in building complex and customized vessels with innovation and technology.

VARD owns the entire value chain in the process, ensuring control over delivery, finance, and knowledge.

VARD is the only existing shipbuilder in Norway with experience in building ships for military use:

· FS Marjata and FS Eger (intelligence ships)

· KV Svalbard (icebreaker)

· KV Harstad

· Three coast guard vessels in the Jan Mayen class (KV Jan Mayen, KV Bjørnøya, and KV Hopen)

All well received and delivered on time

Facts about the Jan Mayen class:

The Jan Mayen class is significantly larger vessels 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.
Strict requirements have been set for the vessels' ocean-going characteristics, strength, stability, helicopter availability, sensors and communication and control capacity.
Like the other two vessels KV Hopen is 136.4 meters long and 22 meters wide and will be able to operate throughout Norway's area of interest. The choice of technology on the new coast guard vessels has emphasized environmentally oriented solutions. These are modern vessels based on available and known technology. The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has 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, finalized, and delivered from Vard Langsten in Norway.

Experienced builder of governmental and Naval vessels

VARD is one of the world's leading shipbuilding and ship design companies when it comes to specialized vessels. VARD has long shipbuilding traditions and an extensive track record in building complex and customized vessels with innovation and technology.