UK Re-launches MARS

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is gearing up to resurrect its MARS (Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability) Tanker programme six months after abandoning an earlier Fleet Tanker acquisition effort. In a notice on the 6th October, the Defence Acquisition and Support (D&S) organisation’s Afloat Support (AfSup) directorate launched a pre-qualification phase for interested industry parties, and at the same time revealed that it had broadened the scope of possible solutions. An industry day was scheduled for November, with pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) due for return no later than the 4th December 2009. AfSup is now going back to market to seek expressions of interest for what is now termed the MARS Tanker programme. In its latest solicitation, the directorate advises a requirement for up to six tanker vessels capable of carrying up to 19,000 m3 of liquid cargo (Class III petroleum products) and maintaining a sustained speed of 15 kt in Sea State 5.

While the previous Fleet Tanker programme stipulated the design and construction of new vessels, the revised MARS Tanker procurement strategy allows for industry to offer a wider range of solutions “that could include design and build, conversion, charter and leasing.”

Where the previous programme assumed a ‘4+4+1’ procurement strategy, the revised plan is based on a ‘2+1+1+1’ formula. A pre-qualification notice issued by the AfSu suggests that up to GBP800 million (US$1.3 billion) remains earmarked for the MARS Tanker programme. The first vessel is due to enter service in 2016.