Damen Shipyards Group wins Lithuanian Navy contract for SAR vessel

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with the Lithuanian Navy to provide a new Pollution Incident Response and Search and Rescue (SAR) vessel. Based on the Damen Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 6711 platform, the ship is expected to arrive in Lithuania by 2029.

The procurement, organized by the Environmental Projects Management Agency under the Ministry of Environment, aims to replace the aging vessel ‘Šakiai’, which has been in service since 1987. The new vessel will enhance Lithuania's maritime security, pollution response, and emergency capabilities in the Baltic Sea.

Key technical features of the OPV 6711 include a FiFi 1 firefighting system, DP1 dynamic positioning, and two davit-launched boats. The vessel is designed to accommodate up to 50 survivors and includes a dedicated onboard medical treatment facility. The project is supported by approximately 50 million euros in funding.