Ulstein, a Norwegian shipbuilding company, has presented designs for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s new vessels as part of its ongoing modernization efforts.
According to Naval News, in mid-December 2025, Ulstein announced a partnership with Larsnes Mek Verkstad to offer its designs according to the Navy’s requirements.
Ulstein, best known for its offshore industry vessels, provides design and engineering services and also operates its own shipyard.
Together, Ulstein and Larsnes have delivered 65 vessels ranging from 36 to 160 meters in length over the past 15 years.
Although neither company is known for a naval portfolio, the plan is to leverage their strong civil sector experience to offer two vessel designs focused on flexibility, modularity, and standardization.
Both vessels are designed to operate with a large number of manned and unmanned systems, including surface, underwater, and aerial systems.
An important detail is the focus on civil systems and operational standards, as requested by the Navy, ensuring the ability to keep maintenance costs low while also allowing for the integration of civilian sailors, if needed, with relatively limited training.
Another specific Navy requirement is that the vessels be prepared for the gradual phase-out of traditional fossil fuels during their service life, which will likely be facilitated by Ulstein’s systems integration portfolio.
Photo: Ulstein. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
