U.S. Navy Set Expand Fleet with 17 New Bunker Vessels

The U.S. Navy is planning to add 17 newbuild bunkering vessels to its fleet.

The U.S. Navy is planning to add 17 newbuild bunkering vessels to its fleet, and Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (Rolls-Royce) says it has secured a contract to supply diesel generators, propellers and shaft lines for the new vessels.

The fleet replenishment, consisting of oiler ships of the new John Lewis class, is said to be expected to "significantly increase" the U.S. Navy's capacity to transfer fuel to its surface ships around the world.

Each ship will have capacity for 156,000 barrels of fuel, as well as dry cargo capacity, aviation capability, and will be able to operate at speeds of up to 20 knots.

The contract signed with Rolls-Royce is noted to include the first ship in the series of 17, as well as options for five more, with the vessels expected to be built at the rate of one per year.

Rolls-Royce says it will supply two "highly efficient" Kamewa 150A Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP), two Bergen B32:40xL8A generator sets for on board energy requirements, with equipment for the lead ship slated for delivery in 2018.

"Rolls-Royce controllable pitch propellers, produced at our facility in Walpole Massachusetts, have been powering the US Navy fleet for many years, and we're delighted that the John Lewis Class will continue this for decades to come," said Don Roussinos, Rolls-Royce, President – Naval.

Earlier this week, Ship & Bunker reported that the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) is sponsoring a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) project aimed at developing an adhesive agent to keep antifouling hydrogels effective on vessel hulls, providing the U.S. Navy with fuel savings.