Norway’s new coast guard vessels also soon in Svalbard | Polarjournal
This is how the three new ships for the Norwegian Coast Guard are to look. As they are especially designed for the Arctic, their names were also chosen accordingly: “Jan Mayen”, “Bjørnøya” and “Hopen”. Image: VARD Shipbuilding

Norway, like many of the Arctic nations, has redefined its security considerations in relation to the Arctic, including launching a corresponding program for Arctic-ready material. This includes new ships that will be sailing in Arctic waters, especially around Svalbard. Three new ships for the Coast Guard have been ordered and now the first has been officially christened.

In an official ceremony, Norwegian Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl christened the first of the three planned ships KV Jan Mayen, named after the Norwegian island of the same name. The christening ceremony was held in Tomrefjord, Norway, at the VARD shipyard, which is also responsible for building the ships. “We are very pleased to have reached this important milestone with the christening of our newbuilding 910, which from now on will be called KV Jan Mayen,” said shipyard manager Ronny O. Langset. It is planned that the ship will now complete its test phase and go into operation next year. For this it will also be seen in Svalbard and the surrounding waters. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, all three ships, which will all carry Arctic names, should be in service by 2024.

The new class of ship being developed and built by VARD bears the same name as the first ship, “Jan Mayen” class. The ships will replace the older “Nordkapp” class vessels that have been in service since the 1980s. At 136.4 meters long, 22 meters wide and with a displacement of 9,162 tons, the new Jan Mayen is also significantly larger than the previous ships. One exception is the Svalbard, which was previously the Norwegian Navy’s most modern coast guard vessel. She was also the only ship to date with a higher ice class, which gave her the opportunity to sail to the North Pole in 2019. However, the new “Jan Mayen” ships will all have a high ice class, which is adequate for the tasks that await the new ships. Around 100 people will be stationed on board and the ship can be underway for up to 60 days without resupplying.

In addition to being ice-worthy, the new ships will have room for a helicopter and be equipped with the latest surveillance equipment and a military tactics management system and armament. The second ship, the “Bjørnøya” has already arrived in Tomrefjord and will soon follow its sister ship. Image: Norwegian Armed Forces

In addition to being ice-worthy, the three ships will also be able to accommodate a larger helicopter, which is especially important for SAR operations. In addition, they will be equipped with the latest surveillance equipment and also a military tactics management system. However, environmental aspects were also taken into account during development. For example, instead of the normal 50-millimeter insulation, all ships will have a 150-millimeter insulation layer, which will reduce heating and thus also fuel consumption. The latest engines are also designed to reduce CO2 emissions. A total of around 650 million euros has been approved by the government for the construction of the three ships.

Many of the new ships’ tasks cover the area between the Norwegian mainland and Svalbard. The Spitsbergen Treaty does prohibit the permanent stationing of military units and military-used buildings. But the treaty does not provide for complete demilitarization, thus allowing Norway to have its coast guard ships dock there. Picture Michael Wenger

Among the tasks awaiting the three ships are fishing and border controls in Norwegian waters, especially around Svalbard. They will also be used in search and rescue missions and represent Norway’s interests in the region overall, according to the Norwegian Armed Forces. This means that the ships cannot be stationed on Svalbard, as this would violate the Spitsbergen Treaty. But because the treaty explicitly mentions a “permanent” military presence, it allows Norway to have its coast guard ships dock there from time to time. This means that the ships will soon adorn one or the other picture of Longyearbyen.

Dr Michael Wenger, PolarJournal

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