New Zealand Shortlists South Korean Yards for Tanker Project

11 September 2015

DSME's replenishment tanker oiler (image : DID)

South Korean shipyards Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have been shortlisted to compete head-to-head in a 'best and final offer' (BAFO) phase for New Zealand's Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) programme.

The decision, announced on 9 September, has seen rival bids from European shipbuilders Flensburger and Navantia eliminated from the competition.

Approved by the government in June 2014, the MSC project is intended to replace the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN's) replenishment tanker HMNZS Endeavour , which retires in 2018, so as to maintain an afloat replenishment capability for the New Zealand Defence Force. The June 2014 Defence Capability Plan stated that the replacement capability "will be capable of refuelling and sustaining the Joint Task Force both at-sea and from-the-sea", adding that when combined with other capabilities, "it would also offer options in terms of the sustainment of ground forces, and for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, primarily within the Pacific region"

(Jane's)