Finnish marine propulsion specialist Steerprop has signed a contract with Hvide Sande Shipyard to supply complete propulsion systems for three new multipurpose environmental vessels being built for the Royal Danish Navy.
The new vessels are intended to strengthen Denmark’s ability to respond to marine environmental emergencies while also supporting defence-related operations.
The ships were ordered by the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation and are being built by Orlogsskibe Danmark, a consortium comprising OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft and Hvide Sande Shipyard.
Hull construction is currently underway at Karstensens Skibsværft in Gdańsk, Poland. The vessels will later be transferred to Denmark for final outfitting, commissioning and sea trials.
Each ship will be equipped with two Steerprop azimuth propulsion units with contra-rotating propellers (CRP), each rated at 1,400 kW.
Steerprop will also supply permanent-magnet motors for the propulsion units, propulsion control systems, bridge control systems and integration of third-party tunnel thrusters.
The propulsion package is designed to meet DNV 1C ice-class requirements, enabling year-round operations in Nordic waters.
The bridge and propulsion control systems will also comply with DNV SP2 cybersecurity standards.
A key feature of the solution is Steerprop’s patented contra-rotating propeller technology, which uses two propellers rotating in opposite directions on the same shaft line.
According to the company, the system can increase total thrust by 10–17% compared with conventional single-propeller solutions.
In ice conditions, the technology has also demonstrated around 10% lower ice resistance, speed improvements of up to 50% in certain broken-ice conditions and better performance when operating through ice ridges.
The vessels’ high manoeuvrability and reliable performance in harsh conditions are considered important for their combined environmental response, emergency and defence roles.
Steerprop has previously supplied propulsion systems for government and naval vessels in Canada, the United States, the Nordic region and the Baltic countries.
Construction of the first vessel is already underway in Gdańsk. Delivery of the propulsion systems is scheduled to begin in March 2027, after which final outfitting will take place at Hvide Sande Shipyard in Denmark.
The first vessel is expected to enter service in 2029.
