Defence Force to buy $500m naval tanker

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, what a huge cost!

Defence Force to buy $500m naval tanker

about 1 hour ago

Mei Heron Political Reporter @meiheron [e-mail]

The Defence Force is spending almost $500 million on a new naval tanker, specifically designed for operations in Antarctica.


An illustration of the new vessel by South Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries. Photo: Supplied / Hyundai Heavy Industries

It will replace the 30-year-old tanker HMNZS Endeavour which currently provides fuel to New Zealand navy and partner nation ships.

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said the new vessel would undertake a similar role, and would also have ice-strengthening and winterisation features that will allow it to make deliveries to Scott Base and McMurdo Station in Antartica.

The recently released Defence White Paper has put greater emphasis on the protection of Southern Ocean resources and supporting New Zealand's civilian presence in Antarctica.

The new $493 million naval tanker would be significantly larger than the Endeavour, and would be able to refuel two ships at a time, as well as carry and refuel Defence Force helicopters


The view of the stern of the proposed new vessel. Photo: Supplied / Hyundai Heavy Industries

"The Defence Force can't operate without fuel, water, ammunition and other bulk goods, and the most effective way to deliver fuel to ships, aircraft and vehicles deployed overseas is by tanker," Mr Brownlee said.

"It is important that New Zealand has a significant asset capable of supporting our presence in Antarctica and our interests in the Southern Ocean more generally," he said.

The vessel will be built by South Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries and is expected to be delivered in 2020.

HMNZS Endeavour is due to retire in 2018.

www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/308894/defence-force-to-buy-$500m-naval-tanker

[Bruce]

Its probably very capable, and Korean built, should be well made, but - Its not a thing of beauty is it!

[Swingtail]

HMNZS Boaty McBoatface

[kiwithrottlejockey]

It'd probably look good with 16-inch triple turrets fore and aft!

[Dave Homewood]

I have to admit I looked and saw no guns and thought "another civvie boat for the Navy"

[Dave Homewood]

I know it is only a simulation but is the kiwi stuck on backwards? Or is that how the Navy does it, different from the RNZAF kiwis that all face forward?

[Dave Homewood]

Do you think they will retain tradition and call this ship HMNZS Endeavour too? Or will a more PC name be introduced?

I wonder what the future holds for the current Endeavour, is it still viable to sell to another Navy or commercial company? Or is she fully clapped out?

[Bruce]

Jul 18, 2016 23:07:06 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Do you think they will retain tradition and call this ship HMNZS Endeavour too? Or will a more PC name be introduced?

I wonder what the future holds for the current Endeavour, is it still viable to sell to another Navy or commercial company? Or is she fully clapped out?

Its an old single skin hull tanker, I dont think there will be much of a market for it since it doesnt meet current commercial standards. Probably get a one way trip to Alang for scrapping...

[Peter Lewis]

As soon as I seen the words 'specifically designed' I have that feeling of looming disaster.

Why can't they just buy a proven standard design instead of reinventing the wheel - and saying 'Hey. lets make it square!'

[TS]

Jul 18, 2016 22:58:51 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

I know it is only a simulation but is the kiwi stuck on backwards? Or is that how the Navy does it, different from the RNZAF kiwis that all face forward?

Yes it is only a simulation as the Kiwi is backwards on the starboard funnel and forwards on the port funnel. The correct way is forwards.

But if that is how she will look is bloody Fugly.

[kiwirob]

Jul 19, 2016 11:51:01 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

As soon as I seen the words 'specifically designed' I have that feeling of looming disaster.

Why can't they just buy a proven standard design instead of reinventing the wheel - and saying 'Hey. lets make it square!'

Dont be so negitive, from what I can see we are getting a very impressive vessel, also I don't believe anyone other than the Russians can supply a tanker with ice classification.

And what exactely is a proven design? The new Norwegian tanker is a one off, the RN Mars tankers aren't in service and yet to be proven, the Aussie tankers are in the same boat, and none of the above are able to operate in ice. 

[tfly]

This article gives some insight into possible weaponry provision for the new tanker

www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/2016/07/19/new-zealand-orders-new-fleet-tanker/87282602/

[No longer identifiable]

Jul 19, 2016 22:58:20 GMT 12 kiwirob said:

Jul 19, 2016 11:51:01 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

As soon as I seen the words 'specifically designed' I have that feeling of looming disaster.

Why can't they just buy a proven standard design instead of reinventing the wheel - and saying 'Hey. lets make it square!'

Dont be so negitive, from what I can see we are getting a very impressive vessel, also I don't believe anyone other than the Russians can supply a tanker with ice classification.

And what exactely is a proven design? The new Norwegian tanker is a one off, the RN Mars tankers aren't in service and yet to be proven, the Aussie tankers are in the same boat, and none of the above are able to operate in ice. 

Also, it's being built by the worlds largest shipbuilder (in terms of annual tonnage) rather than some smaller outfit, so that must count as a good thing.

I searched for the design agency but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know if the design is from Hyundai exclusively or is there input from RNZN naval architects as well?

[meo4]

Jul 18, 2016 22:57:19 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

I have to admit I looked and saw no guns and thought "another civvie boat for the Navy"

Except for the 20mm CIWS ( the r2d2 looking weapon ) on the forecastle and the 50cal on the bridge wings.

[ErrolC]

Interesting write-up on the GCaptain maritime site
gcaptain.com/rolls-royce-to-design-first-environship-navy-vessel/

A ship design unit of British engine maker Rolls-Royce has secured a contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries to apply its award-winning Environship in the design of a new ship for the new Zealand navy.

Rolls-Royce says the contract marks the first reference for the wave-piercing hull for in the naval sector.

Rolls-Royce will also equip the new vessel, a 23,000t Polar-class logistics support vessel, which is to replace the New Zealand Defence Force’s 30-year-old tanker HMNZS Endeavour.

As prime contractor HHI will undertake detailed design and build the vessel as part of the NZDF’s Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) project, using the Rolls-Royce Environship concept design under license.
...

[beagle]

Jul 18, 2016 23:07:06 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Do you think they will retain tradition and call this ship HMNZS Endeavour too? Or will a more PC name be introduced?

Since it will be operating to Antarctica, just wondering if HMNZS Edmond Hillary is out of question.

[Dave Homewood]

Or HMNZS Edmund Hillary even. A good thought there Beagle. I hope they retain Endeavour, she was an amazing ship (the His Majesty's Bark Endeavour).

[shorty]

Should that be bark (as in bow-wow) or barque (as in barquentine) Dave?

[pepe]

Sept 22, 2016 7:33:13 GMT 12 shorty said:

Should that be bark (as in bow-wow) or barque (as in barquentine) Dave?

In defence of Dave, he was replying to "Beagle's" post and, while the Endeavour was no dog, she did have the odd ruff moment or two.....

I'll leave now....

[steveh]

I'm not seeing a helicopter hangar in the mock up (unless its a door where the black & yellow stripes are at the base of the rear of the superstructure). I'd have thought ops to southern waters would have made such a thing mandatory for servicing & simply to protect the chopper from the elements.
Steve.