VESSEL REVIEW | Nahshon – Israeli Navy landing craft with 2,000-tonne transport capacity

The Israeli Navy recently welcomed a new landing craft into service.

Built by Bollinger Shipyards of Louisiana, INS Nahshon has an LOA of 95 metres, a beam of 20 metres, a draught of 4.2 metres, and a displacement of approximately 2,500 tonnes.

In addition to transporting troops, cargo with a total volume equivalent to that of 82 ISO containers, and vehicles including main battle tanks, the vessel will also be tasked with supporting contingency operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The vessel’s design utilises that of the General Frank S. Besson-class logistics support vessels (LSVs) operated by the US Army. Software from SSI aided in the development of the vessel to better suit the requirements of the Israeli Navy.

Cargo and personnel are loaded and unloaded via a bow ramp, and operations are possible even via unprepared beaches of only 1.2 metres depth when carrying 900 tonnes of assorted payloads. The vessel may also transport over 2,000 tonnes of Ro-Ro freight in one sailing, but will be limited only to deeper-draught waters.

The vessel’s propulsion system can deliver speeds of up to 14.2 knots and a range of over 6,500 nautical miles at full displacement.

Nahshon is scheduled to commence operations in 2024.