"Rhön" in the NATO organisation

Fuel transporter "Rhön" becomes part of the NATO unit "Standing NATO Maritime Group 1"

I don't want to shout about it, but the old Zossen are simply indispensable. Yet another tanker has to join an SNMG as the German contribution to the NATO Standing Task Force. The "Rhön" not only has to remain in the North and Baltic Seas until the end of June 2025, but will also have to act as a floating refuelling station for NATO for a good while yet. Such a ship is very welcome and we will have to wait at least another two years until the successors are ready and operational.

Fuel transporter Rhön A 1443 in the Baltic Sea, Photo: Michael Nitz

The supply of fuel for the participating NATO partners significantly increases the endurance at sea and the endurance of the task force. They are not just banal tankers, but service providers for combat ships. Diesel, paraffin or water is also supplied to two ships at the same time - while underway and also at night. The pumping capacity is around 600 cubic metres per hour. Over the next few weeks, the civilian-crewed ship will initially be integrated into the existing convoy - no problem for the experienced crew. The ports of call will include Amsterdam and Gothenburg.

The Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, SNMG 1 for short, consists of several destroyers and frigates and usually a supply ship from various NATO member states. This NATO maritime task force has been in existence since 1967. Before the SNMG1 was given its current name in 2005, it was known as the "Standing Naval Force Atlantic".