The vessels have been commissioned by the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation and are being built by Orlogsskibe Danmark, a Danish consortium comprising OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft, and Hvide Sande Shipyard. The hulls are under construction at Karstensens Skibsværft’s yard in Gdańsk, Poland, before being transferred to Hvide Sande Shipyard in Denmark for final outfitting, commissioning, and sea trials. Steerprop’s contract is with Hvide Sande Shipyard.
Each vessel will be equipped with two Steerprop Contra-Rotating Propeller (CRP) azimuth propulsors, each rated at 1,400 kW, with Steerprop also delivering the thrusters’ permanent-magnet motors. The full Steerprop scope of supply also includes third-party tunnel thrusters, bridge control systems, and the complete propulsion control system, providing an integrated propulsion package designed to support the vessels’ DNV Ice Class 1C requirements. Steerprop will also supply bridge controls and the propulsion control system, compliant with DNV’s SP2 cyber security requirements.
David Birkwald Thorstensen, Director, Hvide Sande Shipyard, said: “These vessels have demanding operational requirements that combine environmental response, defense capabilities and year-round operation in Nordic waters. The propulsion solution needed to deliver excellent maneuverability, reliable operation in ice conditions, and seamless integration with the overall vessel design. Steerprop’s proven CRP technology and experience from demanding governmental and naval projects provide a strong foundation for meeting those requirements.”
Juho Rekola, Director, Sales and Project Management, Steerprop, said: “Every naval vessel is designed around a specific operational mission, and our role is to understand those requirements and engineer the propulsion solution that delivers the performance, reliability and capability the customer depends on. For these vessels, that meant combining outstanding maneuverability with proven ice performance, high efficiency and a fully integrated propulsion package that also meets the latest cyber security requirements. We are proud to support this important program together with Hvide Sande Shipyard and to establish our first reference with the Royal Danish Navy.”
Steerprop’s unique Contra-Rotating Propeller technology uses two propellers rotating in opposite directions on a single shaft, increasing net thrust by 10–17% compared with conventionally powered single-propeller systems. In demanding ice conditions, the design has demonstrated approximately 10% lower ice resistance, up to 50% higher speed in brash ice, and significantly faster ridge penetration, enabling vessels to maintain operational capability in challenging environments while improving overall efficiency.
Steerprop has supplied mission-critical propulsion systems for governmental and naval vessel programs worldwide, including projects in Canada, the United States, and across the Nordic and Baltic regions. Through these projects, the company has developed extensive expertise in meeting the demanding operational, technical, and lifecycle requirements of naval and government operators.
Construction of the first vessel is already underway at Karstensens Skibsværft’s yard in Gdańsk. Steerprop will begin deliveries of the propulsion packages in March 2027, with final outfitting taking place at Hvide Sande Shipyard in Denmark. The first vessel is expected to enter service in 2029.
