Australia receives new Ocean Shield vessel

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has received a new ship, Ocean Shield, formerly known as Skandi Bergen, to enhance its humanitarian and disaster relief capability.

The Government had purchased the vessel for inclusion into the RAN’s current fleet of amphibious ships in a bid to bridge the gap until the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, which is expected in the middle of the decade.

Designed to support transport troops and supplies during humanitarian and disaster relief operations being conducted domestically and in the region, Ocean Shield is scheduled to be deployed in the Southern Ocean to perform patrols as well as provide surveillance, detection and apprehension of any illegally operating vessel.

Capable of performing in sub-Antarctic weather conditions, the 6,500t Ocean Shield is 105m-long and 21m wide, has more than 1000m of deck area, a helipad and can accommodate for up to 100 people.

Ocean Shield will perform its amphibious humanitarian and disaster relief activities alongside HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Choules.

Following the induction of new LPDs in the naval fleet, the new vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection to provide a long-term capability for Customs and Border Protection.

Australia’s Customs and Border Protection currently carries out its patrol duties with Ocean Shield’s sister ship Ocean Protector.