On 18 January 2011, Navantia commissioned the frigate F-314 ‘Thor Heyerdahl’ to the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ceremony, which took place at the Fene-Ferrol shipyard, has been attended by the director of NDLO, General Trond Karlsen, the chief of the Norwegian Navy, Admiral Haakon Bruun Hansen, the president of SEPI, Enrique Martínez Robles and the president of Navantia, Aurelio Martínez Estévez.
The delivery protocol was signed by the director of the shipyard, Esteban García Vilasánchez, and the director of NDLO, Trond Karlsen. After the signature of the protocol and the change of flags, the chief of navy inspected the crew, who marched on board. Afterwards, the guests had the opportunity to go on board the ‘Thor Heyerdahl’.
The frigate F-314 ‘Thor Heyerdahl’ is the fourth of the series of five F-310 class frigates ordered to Navantia by the Royal Norwegian Navy. Launched in February 2009, it is the last unit of the programme, which has been defined as a success by NDLO and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
General Karlsen said: “This ship is the most advanced of the series and Navantia has completely fulfilled the requirements of the Norwegian Navy.”
The main characteristics of these ships, which are equipped with the American AEGIS combat system, are:
- Length overall: 133.25m
- Maximum beam: 16.8m
- Depth to main deck: 9.5m
- Full load displacement: 5,130t
- Design draught: 4.9m
- Crew: 146 people
The contract for the construction of the five frigates was signed after an international tender in June 2000. With the main occidental shipyards as competitors this has been the biggest export contract in the history of naval construction in Spain.