Co-operation between A&R and Fassmer

Another cooperation project surprises on the coast!

The two traditional shipyards Fassmer and Abeking & Rasmussen have announced that they will present a joint design for the German Navy's procurement project.

The further cooperation was officially announced at the EURONAVAL maritime trade fair in Paris on 5 November 2024. The signed partnership is not new territory for the two shipyards, which are already supporting each other with the multi-purpose vessels for the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The first multi-purpose vessel is currently moored at the pier at Fassmer and is being fitted out by Abeking & Rasmussen. A 105 metre long hydrographic vessel (BHO) for the Indonesian navy is on its way from Indonesia to the Weser. This is also a joint project between the two shipyards.

Building complex ships is just one of the many things they have in common: Both can build naval vessels, both have experience with the public sector. Abeking & Rasmussen is known worldwide for complex minehunting units and Fassmer builds OPVs internationally. In addition, they say, "we can also work well together". Although this is not a tender criterion, it is a value that should not be underestimated when it comes to experience and mentality.

Tender Mosel A 512 Photo: Michael Nitz

The German Navy has long been considering a successor to the six Elbe-class tenders of the 404 series. Under the abbreviation 'MUsE', which stands for 'Mittlere Unterstützungseinheit schwimmende Einheiten', there have already been several attempts to replace the tenders, which have been in service since 1993. They are due to join the fleet in the early thirties. The basic requirements, namely to resupply boat squadrons with fuel, water, food, spare parts and ammunition, to carry out light repairs and to be suitable as a command platform, remain the same. However, the operational practice of the ships in recent years has been increasingly characterised by missions in the Mediterranean, for example in the fight against smugglers and people smuggling. However, a successor to the ships built almost to merchant ship standards will once again become more of a typical warship, or rather: will have to become one due to the security policy situation. Last year, NVL (Naval Vessel Lürssen) published its design for a successor to the Tender Class 404, the NTV 130.

Details of the design with the working title MPV 130 are not yet public, but knowing the requirements of the navy, a spacious flight deck with hangar will be integrated as well as small combat boats, e.g. RHIBs and the possibility of carrying and deploying unmanned systems. A heavier armament than the Tender 404, which is only equipped with light machine guns for self-protection, is also planned. The navy favours using systems that have already been introduced. These include a FüWES, but probably also RAM or MASS, we will see. We will report back.

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