• NUSHIP Supply has commenced sea trials off the coast of Ferrol, Spain.
Navantia Australia
    NUSHIP Supply has commenced sea trials off the coast of Ferrol, Spain. Navantia Australia
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ADM can confirm that NUSHIP Supply has commenced sea trials off the coast of Ferrol, Spain where she was built.

The first of the two new Supply class ships (with Stalwart already in the water as well) was launched in November 2018 but thanks to COVID delays in particular, has seen some slippage in the original sea trials schedule.

Staff from Teekay, Navantia and the RAN are on board during these trials. Supply is due to start her voyage to Australia later this month where she will undergo further testing with the RAN before acceptance into the fleet.   

In 2016 Navantia was awarded the contract to build two auxiliary oiler replenishment ships (AORs). These ships will replace existing vessels HMA Ships Success and Sirius and will be known as the Supply Class. The AORs will provide operational support to the Navy’s fleet by providing fuel, ammunition and stores.

The contract to build these vessels was awarded in 2016 with both ships due to be delivered in 2020. The design of these vessels is based on the Navantia built and designed, Spanish oiler Cantabria (which the RAN had on loan for a 13-month period earlier this decade) that is currently operated by the Spanish Navy. The Australian AORs are designed with the intent to replenish fuels, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to the operational deployments of the Australian naval and combat forces operating far from port, on the high seas for longer periods. HMA Ships Supply and Stalwart are due to commence service with the RAN from mid-2020 and are expected to remain in service for a minimum of 25 years.

The commissioning crew of NUSHIP Supply (II) donned ships hats and badges for the first time on Monday, 13 January 2020 at Garden Island, Sydney with Captain Ben Hissink in command.

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