Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 30, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Navy has taken the "first step" in the construction of the Luís de Camões resupply ship, which will carry almost everything to the high seas, from fuel to goods and personnel, in partnership with Turkish industries.
This "is a very important day for Portugal and for the Navy, because we have taken the first step towards building ships that are not just supply ships, but logistics ships, I would say almost multi-purpose ships," said Defence Minister Nuno Melo on the sidelines of the ceremony marking the start of construction of the Portuguese Republic Ship (NRP) Luís de Camões at the ADA shipyards in Turkey on Thursday.
This is the first of two resupply ships that will reinforce the Portuguese Navy - the second will be named D. Dinis - and are expected to arrive in Portugal in April and December 2028.
The NRP Luís de Camões will be able to carry almost everything to the high seas: fuel to refuel ships and aircraft, allowing missions to continue without the need to return to port, also drinking water, general solid cargo and ammunition, as well as offering diversified logistical support and additional hospital functions for disaster situations.
The acquisition resulted from a contract signed between the Portuguese Navy and the Turkish company STM, with construction at the ADA shipyards, and will allow Portugal to recover a capacity it lost in 2020 with the scrapping of the "Bérrio".
Nuno Melo pointed out that the ship, built in Turkish territory, will also be built in Portugal, through the incorporation of communications technology and systems, combining Portuguese expertise with Turkish industry.
"The result is a new class of state-of-the-art vessels that sets a standard for others to follow," he said in his speech.
This is the first time that Turkey, a NATO member, has exported this type of ship to a member of the Alliance and the European Union, a circumstance highlighted in the various speeches by the Turkish representatives present.
The country's defence minister, Yaşar Güler, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Portugal, a nation with a maritime tradition similar to his own, and stressed that in a period of "growing global uncertainty", with "multidimensional uncertainties and risks to maritime security", this type of collaboration is "more important than ever".
Turkey's Secretary of Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, also stressed that in "challenging times" solidarity between allies is particularly important, and that this is "only the beginning" of a "much greater journey" with Portugal, anticipating more partnerships in the near future.
The ceremony marked the laying of the ship's keel, a structure considered the "backbone" of a vessel, which runs from bow to stern, and on which a coin bearing the image of the poet Luís de Camões was minted as a symbolic gesture of good luck and protection for the crew.
The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Nobre de Sousa, who was present at the ceremony, said that this was a "moment of joy" and pointed out that this type of ship allows for an "oceanic" rather than a coastal navy, due to the functions it will perform on the high seas.
"What unites us with the ocean, what also unites us, in the words of another great poet, is language, and this ship will allow us to unite the parts of our territory and the diaspora, and there is nothing better than being christened with the name of Camões, who is our greatest poet," he said.
The total cost of the two ships is around €100 million and the funds will come from the Military Programming Law (LPM), with Nuno Melo highlighting the acquisition below market price.
Measuring 137 metres in length, these ships can reach a maximum speed of over 18 knots and are equipped with hybrid propulsion, combining diesel and electric systems.
The crew will consist of 50 military personnel, with the possibility of extra accommodation for a further 50 and temporary capacity for over 100 people.
ARL/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
