20 August 2021
New Zealand's multirole vessel begins two-month maintenance at ST Engineering
by Ridzwan Rahmat
The Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN's) multirole vessel (MRV), HMNZS Canterbury, has begun an approximately two-month maintenance period at ST Engineering's marine division in Benoi, Singapore.
HMNZS Canterbury , seen here during its deployment to Tonga and Samoa for HADR operations. (New Zealand Defence Force)
In response to questions from Janes, a spokesperson from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) described the maintenance works as one that would support the ship's 15-year survey requirements.
“A range of refurbishment activities will be undertaken, some of which can only be conducted while the ship is in dry dock. There are no dry dock facilities in New Zealand that can accommodate a ship of Canterbury's size,” the spokesperson said in an email reply to Janes on 19 August.
Canterbury is a 131 m modified roll-on/roll-off (RORO) passenger ferry design from Dutch shipbuilder Merwede Shipyard. It was built in the Netherlands, fitted out in Australia, and commissioned by the RNZN in June 2007. The vessel is ice-strengthened for polar operations, and it can transport a company of 250 troops plus equipment and stores.
The RNZN first announced on its official Facebook page on 12 August that Canterbury has arrived at Sembawang after a two-week transit. After having its crew screened for Covid-19, the ship made its way towards ST Engineering's facilities in the western part of the island.
From the images released by the RNZN, Janes can confirm that the ship was docked at the British Defence Singapore Support Unit (BDSSU) while it was in Sembawang.
“As our go-to amphibious military sealift vessel tasked with everything from disaster response in the Pacific to joint operations in the Southern Ocean, the refurbishment will ensure Canterbury
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The Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN's) multirole vessel (MRV), HMNZS Canterbury, has begun an approxi...
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