MV Hartland Point is one of the four Point-class strategic sealift vessels used to deploy cargo, vehicles, ammunition, and other military stores from the UK. (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed a new seven-year contract with Foreland Shipping for the provision of strategic sealift in support of the UK's standing commitments and contingent operations.
Announced by the MoD on 20 December, the GBP476 million (USD598 million) contract will see Foreland Shipping continue to operate four Point-class roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels used to deploy cargo, vehicles, ammunition, and other military stores from the UK. The company (previously AWSR Shipping Ltd) is the incumbent for strategic sealift under an existing arrangement running to the end of December 2024.
The Point-class ships – MV Anvil Point , MV Hartland Point , MV Hurst Point, and MV Eddystone – are built to the Flensburger RoRo 2700 design and homeported at Marchwood, Southampton. With a length of 193 m and a displacement of just over 23,000 tonnes at full load, the Flensburger RoRo 2700 design is capable of achieving a service speed of 21.6 kt. Key features include 2,606 lane metres of space for vehicles, stern and side ramps for vehicle access, internal ramps to all cargo decks, and a deck crane on the starboard side.
One ship is held at five days' readiness, with the remaining three at 10 days' readiness. While commercially operated, all crew members are sponsored reservists and can be called into government service at short notice.
The MoD first advertised its requirement for an ‘interim' sealift service in October 2021.
For more information, please see Feature: UK and Netherlands seek to keep station with new amphibious ship programmes
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