Vard Marine US, Inc., a subsidiary of Vard Group AS – fully owned by Italian Fincantieri Group, has been awarded a contract to participate in the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program. Under this contract, Vard Marine will conduct a market survey and perform concept design and refinement for the new NGLS platform, also referred to as the light replenishment oiler (T-AOL). The award also includes options that can be exercised for functional design planning and special studies. The NGLS will provide sustained afloat or ashore refueling, resupply and rearm capabilities within a smaller platform with the intention of focusing on commercially available, non-developmental and proven technologies.
“Vard Marine US is proud to continue its partnership with the United States Navy in support of this strategic mission,” said Darren Truelock, President of Vard Marine US, Inc. “Our team is committed to delivering an NGLS design foundation that advances the Navy’s replenishment capabilities through a refined, cost-effective, and operationally superior platform. We remain steadfast in our dedication to providing the U.S. Navy and the American people with solutions that uphold both fiscal responsibility and national readiness.”Under the U.S. Navy’s statement of work, Vard Marine will perform an open foreign and domestic market study to be presented within two months of award to determine the availability of designs that closely meet the circular of requirements for the NGLS. Vard Marine will then down select a design and refine this design into the NGLS baseline through iterations of requirements integration.
Vard Marine has partnered with Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard on this program to support producibility, commercial construction practices and support evaluating production costs.
“Hanwha is proud to partner with Vard Marine in the design and integration of the Next Generation Logistics Ship for the U.S. Navy,” said Hanwha Defense USA President of Shipbuilding Tom Anderson. “This award represents an important step in our ability to leverage our world class shipbuilding expertise in building the ships the Navy needs to support our servicemembers deployed in contested maritime domains.”Vard Marine has also teamed with Siemens Energy on the integration of key propulsion and electrical equipment within the vessel.
"Siemens Energy's reliable and efficient propulsion solutions strengthen the Fleet readiness and ensure our sailors have the capabilities they need to operate effectively in any environment,” said Admiral Bryant Fuller, USN ret, Head of Federal Maritime Programs for Siemens Energy. “For decades, Siemens Energy has been at the forefront of advancing electric propulsion technologies for naval and commercial fleets worldwide. This opportunity allows us to bring that expertise to a platform essential to the Navy’s future logistics operations."Vard Marine will additionally work with Acumen Aerospace and Defense Advisors as consultants on the project.