Navy Supply Vessel Berlin/Frankfurt am Main

The consortium Einsatzgruppenversorger Kl. 702, consisting of Lürssen shipyard and FSG shipyard managed to get the order for the first auxiliary ship on October 15th, 1997. In July 1998 when construction of the first ship already was underway a second ship was ordered.
On April 29th, 1999 EGV Berlin was launched and christened at FSG shipyard. The deckhouse was “launched” separately at Kröger shipyard on May 28th, 1999. During outfitting the deckhouse was finished as far as possible and then put on the ship with a floating crane. The trial run took place in July 2000 followed by a functional demonstration of the installation in August. Berlin was delivered on September 5th, 2000. Commissioning was on April 11th, 2001.

The two EGV were deployed as navy supply vessels as well as for humanitarian aid like the Tsunami catastrophe in 2005 in South East Asia at Banda Aceh. Both ships conducted several missions near Cape of Good Hope. Frankfurt also took part in operations from UNIFIL off shore Libanon.

The major task of the EGV is supplying the task force with operating supply items (oil, petrol and water), convenience goods, provisions and ammunition. Replenishment usually takes place at sea. During those RAS maneuvers (Replenishment at Sea) two ships can be supplied simultaneously at starboard and portside. It’s even possible to supply petrol through a hose over the stern.