The Norwegian defence materiel authority Forsvarsmateriell (Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency) has signed a framework agreement with Harstad Mekaniske Verksted AS (HAMEK) for the maintenance of Norwegian Armed Forces vessels. The agreement has a maximum value of NOK 350 million and is intended to relieve pressure on the Norwegian Navy's shipyard in Ramsund (northern Norway).
"We are now rebuilding our defence and strengthening Norway's defence capability. We need increased maintenance and shipyard capacity in Northern Norway, and this agreement helps secure part of the naval defence's maintenance needs. It strengthens defence capability at a time when we are making significant investments across all branches of the armed forces and throughout the country," says Norway's Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik in a press release from Forsvarsmateriell.
The framework agreement covers all of the Norwegian Armed Forces' current and future vessel classes, including surface ships and submarines, as well as other maritime materiel. HAMEK will, among other things, provide project management, engineering services, shipyard work and logistics support.
The agreement covers planned and corrective maintenance as well as modifications and upgrades. According to Forsvarsmateriell, the capacity can be drawn upon when the Armed Forces' own resources or existing agreements do not cover requirements, the press release states.
HAMEK has around 100 employees and, according to Forsvarsmateriell, operates Northern Norway's largest dry dock. The agreement is intended to give the Armed Forces greater flexibility both for planned maintenance needs and in situations where the need for additional capacity arises quickly.
The framework agreement can also be used to provide maintenance and repair support to allied vessels operating in Norwegian waters. It initially runs for four years and includes options for extension totalling up to three additional years. The maximum value is NOK 350 million excluding value added tax.