VSE Corporation turned over to Chile a Almirante Montt bunkering tanker to join the country’s Navy fleet,  Lenta.ru reports.

The ship, formerly known as Andrew Higgins of U.S. Navy fleet was operating from 1987 to 1996. The sale agreement was signed by the U.S. and Chile in early 2009. The contract cost has not yet been specified.

The Almirante Montt is expected to go through maneuverability tests. After successful tests, the ship will need some renovations at ASMAR Shipyard, including installation of special equipment for bunkering operations at sea. The vessel will replace an old Araucano tanker.

Earlier, the USA Navy and Chile had signed a memorandum of understanding under which the Almirante Montt will be providing bunkering services for the U.S. warships in the South Pacific for the next ten years.

 

The 206-m-length and 29.7-m-width tanker can carry 180.000 barrels of fuel oil. The ship’s full speed rated at 20 knots.

 

VSE was established back in 1959 as "Value Engineering Company", the name changed later to VSE Corporation. The VSE is a U.S. government contractor providing engineering, logistics support, foreign military sales, management sciences and other services. VSE Corporation owns its subsidiaries, Energetics Incorporated, ICRC, and G&B Solutions Incorporated