STM Lays Keel of NRP Fernando Pessoa, Portugal’s Second Turkish-Built Replenishment Ship

Türkiye’s STM laid the keel of NRP Fernando Pessoa, the second replenishment and logistics ship it is building for the Portuguese Navy, at ADA Shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul, on 20 October 2026. The Portuguese Navy and STM announced the milestone the same day. With work already under way on the first ship, NRP Luís de Camões, both hulls are now in construction at the same time (Portuguese Navy, STM press release).

The ceremony in Tuzla

Portugal’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Jorge Nobre de Sousa, presided over the laying of the first keel block. Admiral Kadir Yıldız, Commander of the Turkish Fleet, attended with representatives of both navies, STM and ADA Shipyard. In his speech, Nobre de Sousa said the ship would significantly increase the operational flexibility of the Portuguese fleet and described it as “more than a logistic support ship” and “a true force multiplier” that would help Portugal keep a continuous naval presence in the Atlantic, according to the navy’s statement (marinha.pt).

The ship was originally to be named NRP D. Dinis, after King Dinis. The Portuguese Navy renamed it after the 20th-century poet Fernando Pessoa, STM said. Its pennant number is A5212 (Naval News).

Timeline and delivery

STM signed the contract in Lisbon on 17 December 2024. The company describes the deal as Türkiye’s first military ship export to a country that is a member of both the European Union and NATO. Steel was cut for NRP Luís de Camões in November 2025 and its keel was laid in January 2026; steel cutting for the second ship followed on 18 June 2026 (STM).

“We aim to launch both vessels in 2027 and deliver them to the Portuguese Navy in 2028,” said STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz. The Portuguese Navy expects NRP Fernando Pessoa to be handed over at the end of 2028 (Portuguese Navy, Baird Maritime). Neither statement gave the value of the contract.

What the ships will do

An auxiliary oiler replenisher (AOR) refuels and resupplies warships at sea so they can stay deployed longer without returning to port. According to the Portuguese Navy, the two ships will transfer ship and aircraft fuel, fresh water, general cargo and ammunition, provide wider logistics support and offer enhanced hospital facilities for disaster relief. They will be 137 metres long, displace 11,000 tonnes, reach more than 18 knots and use hybrid diesel-electric propulsion. Each will have a crew of 50 and temporary berths for more than 100 extra people (marinha.pt).

STM adds that the ships can stay at sea for up to 30 days and carry up to 20 light armoured tactical vehicles, loaded through a stern-quarter roll-on/roll-off ramp, which lets them support amphibious and joint operations. They will have a landing deck for helicopters and drones, a UAV hangar and an integrated communication system for fleet command and control. The company lists close-in weapon systems, 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations and chaff/decoy launchers among the self-defence fit (STM).

Industry context

Turkish shipbuilders have spent the past decade turning a domestic warship programme into an export line, and the Portuguese order is the first to reach an EU and NATO navy, by STM’s account. Güleryüz said STM draws on experience from 44 naval platform projects across 11 shipyards; that figure is the company’s own. The project also shows the division of labour behind many Turkish naval exports: an engineering prime contractor (STM) paired with a private yard (ADA Shipyard) that builds the hulls. For the Turkish fleet itself, see our overview of how many warships Turkey has, and for the wider order book, Turkish defence industry contracts in 2026.

Sources: Portuguese Navy (marinha.pt, 20 October 2026); STM press release, Ankara, 20 October 2026 (via Joint Forces News); Naval News; Baird Maritime. This article will be updated at the launch and delivery milestones.