Britain: A Long-Term Contract to Support the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Aug 13, 2008 11:41 EDT
and cruise ship
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The UK Ministry of Defence’s concerted effort to reform its defense support operations continues. Overall, “future contracting for availability,” rather than paying for parts and labor hours, remains the overall direction. The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, which provided a number of services in and around the Royal Navy’s major ports, was outsourced to Serco in a GBP 1 billion December 2007 contract.
Now, a deal that could last for 30 years looks to provide through-life support for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of 16 oilers, supply ships, and landing ships.
Previous arrangements, which saw individual contracts competed when required, are being replaced by a comprehensive contract worth GBP 250 million (about $500 million). Now, the first ships are undergoing refits and maintenance under the new arrangements…
- A New Support Model for the RFA
- Development & Updates
A New Support Model for the RFA
The winning contractors will maintain ‘clusters’ of ships that are according to their duties and capabilities. Their responsibilities involve the necessary refuelling and refit work for the RFA vessels throughout their service lives. The Navy and Ministr of Defence will work closely with the contractors to improve their understanding over time, and also help them forecast their workload farther into the future. This kind of predictability is critical to the maritime industry, which often suffers when order swings and uncertainty make it difficult to maintain a core workforce of skilled and experienced people. This BBC quote is an excellent illustration of the phenomenon, which is not at all unique to Britain:
“Trainee engineer Fred Hawkey, who found work at the docks after a succession of short-term jobs, said: “Employment is a bit hit and miss down here. You may only get work for the summer so if it means I will have regular work for the foreseeable future that would be good.” “
Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders (NSL) of Birkenhead (across from Liverpool) are charged with 4 clusters of 11 ships in total, under a contract worth over GBP 180 million. The small fleet tanker RFA Gold Rover falls under this contract, and will be the first ship handled under the new program.
A&P Group are charged with 2 clusters of 5 ships in total, under a contract worth around GBP 53 million. Work will be shared between its bases in Falmouth and Newcastle-on-Tyne. It is estimated that at least 500 long-term jobs were secured with this contract.
See also: UK MoD release | Royal Navy details RFA ship fleet | BBC report | DID re: RMAS privatization.
Development & Updates
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Aug 11/08: The UK MoD announces that RFA Gold Rover has docked in Merseyside to undergo an GBP 8.5 million refit package that includes a new Avon Searider rescue boat, installing an electric crane for Single Point Mooring hose recovery, and replacing the diesel generators. Gold Rover is classed as a “Small Fleet Tanker.” She is primarily an oiler, with some dry stores capability and a deck that can support H-3 Sea King helicopters. The ship is expected to return to the fleet towards the end of 2008
The dual-role oiler/dry goods Fleet Replenishment Ships RFA Fort Rosalie and RFA Fort George are also currently in refit at NSL’s Merseyside yard.
