In-depth| New veSSeLS
There is life on MARS
Expressions of interest have finally been invited from potential builders of
the new generation of tankers set to fulfil the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s future
Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme.
T
he Ministry of Defence’s Abbey in its quest for competitive prices and the 1. The ability to carry Petroleum Class II and
Wood, Bristol branch has posted pursuit of ‘reduced whole life cost by exploit- III clean product compliant, reconfigurable
an invitation in the Supplement to ing commercial best practice and with for two grades concurrently with capacity
the Official Journal of the European Union designs that can demonstrate cost benefits up to 18000m
3
covering the design, build, outfit, and throughout 25 years of service life’. 2. The ability to carry eight fully laden 20ft
delivery of up to six fleet tankers. The fleet tankers will replace current RFA ISO containers
The tanker programme is being given platforms and comply with the emerging 3. The ability to carry potable water cargo
priority over separate schemes to build a International Maritime Organization capacity of 1300m
3
‘Fleet Solid Support’ ship for the RFA (for (IMO) requirements for double-hulled 4. The ability to operate at sustained speeds of
munitions, victuals, and general stores tanker operation. They will need to be able 15knots in Sea State 5; offering a range of
underway replenishment) and a Joint Sea- to operate globally, with the ability to out 7000nm
Based Logistics (JSBL) vessel configured to load from secure ports, in the UK, consoli- 5. The ability to replenish at sea rigs to include
support amphibious operations. date cargo in commercial ports, and to use three abeam tensioned jackstay rigs, one
As part of the initial tanker construc- drydock and repair facilities within the UK. astern fuelling reel, single buoy mooring
tion project, the MARS integrated project The MARS IPT has specified that fleet point
team (IPT) is also seeking the provision of tankers must be constructed with quality 6. A helicopter deck and facilities for
support information including drawings, equipment and material of proven reliabil- maintenance and refuelling
computer models (including CAD models), ity and be: 7. Accommodation for up to 100 persons
and operation and maintenance manuals, as a. Interoperable to NATO standards and of mixed gender to UK Flag merchant
well as training media and the initial training with NATO assets standards
for ship staff. b. Designed to maximise reliability, facilitate 8. OCIMF compliance
Those attracted to the project are also ease of maintenance, repair, or replacement 9. Classification to Lloyd’s Register Naval Ship
being asked to list and present the items and and minimise through life costs Rules with Naval Ship Auxiliary notation
spares to support the first two years worth c. Designed with open architectures that 10. Medium-speed diesel propulsion operating
of maintenance requirements, including facilitate support and readily enable future on MGO fuel
overhauls. capability upgrades and incorporation of 11. Passage through Panama and Suez canals,
Placing the invitation in the Official emerging technologies maximum draught of 11m, maximum air
Journal confirms that no favours will be d. Capable of operations worldwide, draught of 39m, maximum length of
given to UK shipbuilding in assessing offers, seasonally unrestricted from Tropical to 220m
as the MARS tankers are not considered to Arctic (1st Year Ice)
be ‘grey’ ships. The announcement is clear Indicative characteristics include: The MARS IPT is looking for expressions
of interest from a minimum of three and
a maximum of six potential bidders. The
deadline for expressions of interest is given
as 15 February 2008. NA
Computer generated image from
‘Concepts for a fleet tanker: an exploration
into options and pricing’, by S L Cooper,
Ministry of Defence, D P G Burger, Graphics
Research Corp, T P McDonald, University
College London, UK, presented to RINA’s
Military Support Ships conference, 13-14
November 2007.
20 The Naval Architect February 2008
NA Feb 08 -
p20.indd 20 05/02/2008 13:04:51
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