BMT joins BAE Systems to compete for MARS Fleet Tankers

BMT Defence Services Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has joined today with BAE Systems to submit a single response to the MARS Fleet Tanker pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) issued by the UK's Ministry of Defence.

The MARS Integrated Project Team will subsequently invite qualified teams to participate in dialogue with Defence Equipment and Support for the provision of MARS Fleet Tankers.

BMT Defence Services, independent European centre of naval design excellence, has teamed exclusively with BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions to offer a Fleet Tanker based on BMT's Aegir family of environmentally responsible fleet support ship designs. BMT joins the team as Design Partner; BAE Systems will act as Lead Contractor and Programme Manager; the team will be completed by world class ship builder Daewoo DSME.

David Rainford, Commercial Director of BMT Defence Services, said "As a relatively small, innovative organisation, we are pleased with the smooth and positive fashion in which BAE Systems has welcomed us as their Design Partner. The commercial approach to designing Aegir we adopted with our commercial tanker consultant Skipskonsulent makes Aegir an ideal basis for a simple yet effective MARS Fleet Tanker. Our Aegir family design philosophy combines ease of construction and maintenance with a flexibility allowing owners to easily enhance their vessels to meet their specific requirements".

Vic Emery, Managing Director of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, said "By bringing together this unique mix of UK and Korean commercial and naval design, ship-build and project management capability, the Consortium will offer the Ministry of Defence an unparalleled degree of flexibility and experience in delivering the MARS Fleet Tankers."