Hyundai delivers Polar-class logistics support ship
Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered the Polar-class fleet tanker/replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), following successful completion of sea trials.
SeaQuest Marine Project Management oversaw the shipbuilding process in Ulsan, South Korea, with the vessel departing the site on 10 June.
HMNZS Aotearoa will provide global sustainment capabilities to the NZDF and ensure adequate supply of air, land and maritime equipment including ammunition and fuel.
Jan Andersson, CEO of SeaQuest, said: ‘Once again we have proven that our experience in supervision and familiarity with Far Eastern builders can aid a new building project like no one else. This is the third time we have looked after a naval support ship, first from Royal Fleet Auxiliary UK, second from NDLO Norway and now from NZ Crown.’
The vessel is winterised and ice-strengthened to allow the NZDF to operate and support operations in the Antarctic.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?]()
Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?
Payload commonality, combat systems and electronic warfare are emerging as likely priorities as the trilateral partnership balances building submarines with sharing industrial ecosystems.
-
![Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV]()
Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV
Singapore is building space for uncrewed systems and future technologies into its new Sentinel-class OPVs, reflecting a wider move towards adaptable vessels capable of maintaining persistent maritime presence.
-
![From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next]()
From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next
Saildrone’s new Copenhagen base is one sign of a larger shift, as navies globally turn to uncrewed vessels for surveillance and mine clearance.
-
![Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements]()
Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements
Israel’s navy is preparing for a larger and more technically diverse role, but its ambitions could be impacted by supply chain restrictions, accelerating demand for domestic naval production as well as autonomous maritime capabilities.
-
![Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage]()
Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage
As AI dominates defence conversations, industry increasingly points to quantum sensing as the technology set to change submarine and uncrewed underwater vehicle operations.
