Vestland’s maritime industry strengthens support for the Navy

Forsvarsmateriell, Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, has awarded their three framework agreements to companies CCB AS, Westcon Yards AS and Moreld Apply (Apply AS). They cover the Norwegian Armed Forces’ entire fleet of vessels, including surface vessels, submarines and other maritime equipment.

Together, the agreements are estimated to be worth up to NOK 970 million, and run for four years, with options for a further three years. They are intended to ensure that the Armed Forces can draw on specialist expertise and additional maintenance capacity as demand increases.

- The new contractors carry a long and strong maritime heritage. By this formalized partnership, Westland’s maritime industry is strengthening its contribution to Norway’s defence preparedness, says Investment Manager in Invest in Vestland, Charlotte Hartvigsen Lem and adds:

- The agreements demonstrate how established maritime industry can complement the Armed Forces’ own capabilities. By drawing on companies with specialist skills, infrastructure and experience in complex vessel operations, the Navy can access additional capacity without relying exclusively on its own maintenance facilities.

Haakonsvern is the Norwegian naval base, located in Bergen. Photo: Forsvaret. 

Proximity to Haakonsvern naval base

The agreements give the Navy access to additional industrial capacity when its own resources and existing contracts are insufficient. They will primarily relieve pressure on the Navy’s maintenance facilities at Haakonsvern, located in Bergen. The industrial actors will also be providing capacity for maintenance of allied vessels operating in Norway.

- Maintenance and high availability of military vessels are essential to the Armed Forces’ operational capability and preparedness, said Gro Jære, Director of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, when publishing the news this week. She highlighted the importance of securing access to expertise and capacity in Norwegian maritime industry, while strengthening supply security and cooperation between the defence sector and industry.

Strenghtens to ecosystem

The agreements are subject to strict requirements for quality, environmental management, security, competence and supply security. Suppliers must also be capable of supporting the Armed Forces in crisis and wartime situations. The potential to support allied vessels also gives the agreements a wider significance, connecting industrial capacity in Vestland to the maintenance needs of allied forces operating in Norway.

Parnter Westcon Yard says the agreement recognises the technical expertise and delivery capacity the company has developed over many years.

- It also opens up opportunities for increased activity in vessel maintenance, repairs and technical upgrades. The company sees the agreement as part of its longer-term commitment to the Bergen area and the maritime defence market, says Deon Mortensen, Head of Strategic Defence Programmes at Westcon Yards.

Also, CCB AS considers the contract an important milestone and a significant step forward in our ambition to establish ourselves as the preferred maintenance shipyard for the Royal Norwegian Navy. In a comment the state that the agreement also confirms the expertise, capacity, and readiness role that have been built within the CCB system over many years, further strengthening the position as an important partner for the defence sector and our allied nations.

The agreements illustrate the value of the region’s established maritime expertise and industrial infrastructure. These capabilities provide a foundation for further development in the maritime defence market, where technical competence, reliable supply chains and the ability to deliver under demanding conditions are essential for naval vessels, here the replenishment vessel Maud. Photo: Egil Ingebrigtsen.