Feature 1 | Tankers of The 21sT CenTury
To MARS via Korea?
BAE Systems has formed a partnership with Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine
Engineering, to bid with BMT Defence’s design team for the construction
of six tankers for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
A
n early indication has emerged of BAE Systems said that, through its Surface consortium offers, in terms of flexibility, is the
the solutions that may be needed Fleet Solutions business, it would act as ability to provide UK build options, should
to satisfy the Ministry of Defence’s lead contractor and programme manager such an approach become necessary.’
plans to build six new tankers for the UK in the proposal, with the ships intended to A BAE Systems spokeswoman explained
Royal Fleet Auxiliary, after BAE Systems said be built by DSME in Korea. ‘This approach that the consortium had factored in that the
it would team up with South Korea’s Daewoo combines the best global experience in both location of build would partly depend on
Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co in commercial and military shipbuilding,’ said how work progressed on the future aircraft
submitting its response to the MOD’s Pre- BAE Systems. carriers at BAE Systems’ facilities in the UK,
Qualifying Questionnaire for the Military Vic Emery, managing director of BAE and particularly at Govan, Glasgow. If the
Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, said: ‘By aircraft carrier project ran to schedule, there
programme. bringing together this unique mix of UK and would be no capacity at BAE Systems yards to
The powerful consortium, led by BAE Korean commercial and naval design, ship- build the RFA tankers in the UK. If, however,
Systems, also includes BMT Defence Services build, and project management capability, work on the two aircraft carriers envisaged
as design partner to bid for the contract for the consortium will offer the Ministry of for the Royal Navy were to be delayed, part
the ships. Defence an unparalleled degree of flexibility or all of the RFA tanker construction ‘could
With the deadline for expressions of and experience in delivering the MARS fleet act as in-fill work’.
interest in building the petroleum Class II tankers.’ For its part, BMT expressed itself satisfied
and III clean product tankers with capacity However, the plans include contingency with its design role in the consortium. David
of up to 18000m
3
not due until 15 February arrangements which could see the tankers Rainford, commercial director of BMT
2009, BAE Systems is the first to break cover built in the UK after all. Mr Emery added: Defence Services, said: ‘As a relatively small,
in proposing how such ships may be built to ‘While it is intended that all vessels will be innovative organisation, we are pleased with
meet MOD cost and delivery requirements. constructed in Korea, a unique feature the the smooth and positive fashion in which
BAE Systems has welcomed us as its design
partner. Through a commercial approach we
will be able to provide a simple yet effective
MARS fleet tanker.’
K W Cheong, director of DSME Special
Ship Management said: ‘This is an excellent
opportunity for cooperation between our
two countries; the UK being the home of
naval shipbuilding and Korea as the hub
of commercial shipbuilding. I think the
combination of BAE Systems’ extensive
naval domain knowledge with our own
skills and resources will produce excellent
results.’
BAE Systems said the MARS programme
would become part of the workload of the
proposed maritime joint venture between
BAE Systems and VT Group, to be called
BVT Surface Fleet, upon its completion. NA
six new auxiliary oil tankers for the royal
Fleet Auxiliary will augment military afloat
support reach, as currently delivered by
ships such as the Bae systems-built Wave
Knight.
24 The Naval Architect March 2008
NA Mar 08 -
p24.indd 24 10/03/2008 12:00:05
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