The steel cutting ceremony of the 17,000 tons Fleet Tanker to be built for the Pakistan Navy was held at state-owned Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on 27 November 2013.

The steel cutting ceremony of the 17,000 tons Fleet Tanker to be built for the Pakistan Navy was held at state-owned Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on 27 November 2013. The ceremony, marking the start of the fleet tanker construction at the Karachi Shipyards, was attended by the Ambassador of Turkey, Sadık Babür Girgin, Turkey’s Consul General in Karachi, Murat Onart, Vice Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defence Industries (SSM) of Turkey, Lieutenant General (R) Tanvir Tahir, Secretary MoDP, Rear Admiral [UH] Syed Hasan Nasir Shah, Managing Director of KSEW, Faruk Ozlu, STM Chairman, Recep Barut, STM General Manager, members of the Turkish Delegation, Flag Officers, and Management and workers of KSEW.

Under the Fleet Tanker Project, as a result of extensive efforts and negotiations, Turkish technology and systems engineering house Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret (STM) was selected over China Shipbuilding Trading Corporation (CSTC) and awarded on 22 January 2013 a contract by the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) to provide KSEW with the Technical Data Package (TDP) and Kit of Material (KoM) for the construction of the double-hull fleet tanker, which will be constructed by KSEW as the main-subcontractor to and with the technical support of STM. As prime contractor, STM will also provide consultancy and management support under the 48-month programme. Valued at around US$80M, the contract represents a landmark for STM, marking the first time that a Turkish company has been contracted to export ship design and engineering services to Pakistan. Pakistan Navy's fleet tanker will provide logistics support to Pakistani Navy units at sea through transfer of liquid and dry cargo. Under the programme, a second milestone will be achieved by keel laying ceremony that is scheduled for 19 September 2014. The Fleet Tanker will be launched on 19 November 2016 and after harbour and sea acceptance tests planned to be handed over to Pakistan Navy on 19 April 2017. As a strategic organisation under the MoDP, KSEW supports the Pakistan Navy in building of warships and essential repair works. Geographically located within the boundaries of the Karachi Port, KSEW has the capability to construct frigates, pressure hull of AGOSTA 90B submarines, floating docks, missile crafts, gunboats, tugs, oil and water tankers, and other support vessels.

With overall length of 158.4m, a maximum breadth of 22m, a draught of 6.85m, and a depth of 10.5m, the Fleet Tanker has a scantling draft of 16,900 tons. Being built under Bureau VERITAS Class rules and will comply with latest MARPOL requirements the ship incorporates double hull configuration. The ship will be operated by a crew of 169 and can accommodate up to 228 personnel, including crew and additional troops. The Fleet Tanker is to be powered by two diesel main engines (6,000kW each) driving controllable pitch propellers through two shafts. There are also four diesel generators (each 1,000kVA) for electrical power generation. The propulsion system will provide a top speed of 20 knots and a maximum range of 10.000nm at 15 knots cruising speed. The ship can independently operate at sea for a period of three months. The Fleet Tanker will be armed with two 20mm PHALANX CIWS and two remote controlled 12.7m naval turret systems.

In terms of cargo carrying and replenishment capabilities, the ship can carry 8,158 tons of High Speed Diesel Oil (HSDO), 150 tons of JP5 fuel (for helicopters), 1,002 tons of fresh water and dry ration of around 100 tons. These stores can be transferred through two replenishment-at-sea (RAS) rigs and one on each side plus stern fuel at sea (FAS) refuelling stations with day and night capability. Thus the ship will be able to supply three ships simultaneously while the helicopter she carries performs vertical replenishment.

The Fleet Tanker will primarily provide logistics support to Pakistan Navy units at sea through transfer of liquid and dry cargo. But, the ship can also undertake ASW and ASuW operations through two embarked medium-weight SEA KING Mk.45 helicopters. The same helicopters can also be used for SAR operations. The Fleet tanker will be also fitted with latest medical facilities to provide medical support to Pakistan Navy units as well as during disaster relief operations.

Ibrahim Sünnetci, Ankara