French fleet incarnate third Loire-type logistics support vessel (BASM)

On June 24, another Loire-type logistics support vessel, named Seine (A604). The ceremony took place in Tulon and was preceded by the official acquisition of the ship from the manufacturer (KERSHIP) by DGA on 5 March this year..

The French practice allows to check the unit before its official incorporation into the fleet. It also allows to show it to potential foreign buyers. In the case of Seine, this opportunity was used to test the ship in the waters of western Africa and South America, where the ship spent 3 months and where it was presented to the fleets of Senegal and Brazil.

Interestingly, the unit not yet incorporated into the line operated in the composition of the French fleet ship group along with the Tonnere landing helicopter and La Fayette frigate. In tests, the ship Seine held 400 miles voyage in Amazon waters, demonstrating adaptation to activities in freshwater waters. On 4 July, DGA Garonne (A605) or fourth unit of the series was transferred. Also, this ship will pass a 3-month test period before raising the flag of war.

BASM ships are multi-tasking units, designed to support divers activities, transport of weapons and ammunition, act as submarine bases and antimine units, tests of towed hydrolocation systems, combating oil pollution. They have an 80-ton pole pull, which gives them the ability to tow other units. Their buoyancy is 260 tonnes, length 70.3 m, width 15.8 m. dive 5 m, speed 14 knots, load capacity 1000 tons, crew of 17 people, possibility to board 12 passengers, drive 2 engines of 2650 kW.

The series of BASM ships will be separated by pairs between the base in Tulon and Brest.

Signature: TW

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