Replenishment oiler HNoMS Maud (A530)

HNoMS Maud, a replenishment oiler, was constructed at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea for the Norwegian Defense Materials Agency Forsvarsmateriell, serving in the Royal Norwegian Navy.

Replacing HNoMS Valkyrien, this vessel primarily supports naval forces with post-supplies, holding the distinction of being the largest ship in the Royal Norwegian Navy—twice the size of the Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. Its namesake honors Queen Maud of Norway, spouse of Haakon VII of Norway. Its design is an adaptation of the Tide-class tankers commissioned for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in Britain.

Its primary mission involves furnishing fuel, ordnance, and equipment for Norwegian Task Group (NorTG) warships, bolstering their operational endurance at sea. Secondary duties encompass sovereignty, assistance to other military units, civilian support, search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian missions, and engagement in network-based defense. Notably, the vessel includes a 48-bed hospital.

Originally slated for launch in March 2016, the vessel's delivery faced delays, postponing operations initially set for 2018. Challenges with the main engines caused subsequent postponements after damage occurred. In September 2017, prospective crew members underwent replenishment at sea (RAS) training at HMS Raleigh, Torpoint, Royal Navy's training facilities.

Due to Maud's construction delays, two Reine-class patrol vessels from the Norwegian Coast Guard, Olav Tryggvason and Magnus Lagabøte, were reassigned to the navy as auxiliary ships. Their designation changed from «NoCGV» to «HNoMS.»

The turnover ceremony for Maud took place at the Daewoo shipyard on November 16, 2018, witnessed by Chief of Staff of the Navy, flag commander Øystein Wemberg, marking a historic occasion for maritime Norway. Commissioning involved raising the Norwegian flag and the crew's inaugural occupation.

Arriving in Norway on March 29, 2019, Maud was christened and officially commissioned in Bergen on May 21, 2019. During the subsequent year, the vessel underwent testing until the warranty expiration. However, safety issues surfaced in December 2019, prompting a ban on sailing due to various hazards highlighted by a global risk-assessment firm, DNV GL. Rectification work was carried out, and in September 2020, Maud resumed operations after being deemed safe.

The navy and Ministry of Defense committed to addressing all issues during the test period, aiming for full operation by the second quarter of 2020. In September 2020, Maud sailed to Nieuwe Haven Naval Base, Den Helder, Royal Netherlands Navy, for essential work on its replenishment at sea masts.

By February 2021, it conducted its first replenishment at sea with the frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen. Subsequently, in September 2021, it commenced its maiden deployment, joining Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 as a «fleet oiler.» The same month witnessed its first replenishment at sea with an allied vessel, the Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel. Maud re-joined SNMG1 in late August 2022.