The LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’ concludes its maintenance and upgrading process in Navantia Shipyards

The Armada’s flagship returns to sea ready to face new challenges after upgrading works in the Puerto Real shipyards with participation of more than 300 professionals and nearly 40 related companies.

The LHD “Juan Carlos I” (L-61) is in the final stage of maintenance and upgrading works being carried out by Navantia at its Puerto Real shipyard. The immobilization process, which began on July 17 with the ship's entry into dry dock, is now moving into its final stage with its refloating, scheduled for this Monday, November 10. The pending jobs will continue until completion, followed by sea trials, planned for the first half of December. This undertaking involves an average of 300 workers and more than 35 specialized companies, revealing the scale and technical complexity of the project, one of the most significant endeavors undertaken since its delivery to the Armada in 2010.

Among the main tasks was the replacement of the propulsion system, which will optimize its performance and guarantee its operational readiness for years to come. The work included dismantling the existing pods, removing 48 pieces of equipment from the previous system, and installing 50 new pieces of equipment associated with the next-generation propulsion system. The project required laying and connecting more than 35,000 meters of power and control cabling, and reconnecting another 31,000 meters of existing, reusable cabling to achieve full integration of the new system.

In addition, a comprehensive dry-docking program was carried out, including: surface treatment of the superstructure and hull; overhaul of transverse thrusters, stabilizers, anchors, and chains; renewal of hull anodes, impressed current cathodic protection systems (ICCP), and the marine-grade cathodic protection system (MGPS); replacement and overhaul of more than 200 seacock valves; and cleaning and painting of nearly 80 tanks and bilges, among other tasks.

Also noteworthy is the maintenance performed on the diesel generator sets, a project that required a complete overhaul to ensure the future reliability and availability to power the new pods.

The ship's Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Héctor Arias Macías, emphasized the technical and human significance of this process: "The modernization carried out on the ship translates into greater reliability of the systems and a substantial improvement in living conditions on board."

As he explained, “the improved living conditions will be noticeable in the recreation areas, restrooms, and kitchens, which have been completely renovated along with the cold storage facilities.”

Arias also pointed out “the empathy and professionalism with which all the personnel and companies involved have approached the project,” highlighting the importance of the coordination and cooperation among the different teams. “Seeing the ship afloat again, after four months in dry dock, ready for its next mission, fills us with pride and enthusiasm,” he concluded.

The Navantia program manager, Joaquin Pery Bohorquez, emphasized “the magnitude of this work, both in terms of employment in the Bay of Cádiz and in the collaborative work with the Armada to guarantee the ship’s full operational readiness and the improved living conditions for the crew.”

“These have been months of intense work in which Navantia has been fully committed to delivering on time and with the quality that the Armada requires,” he added.