Ships in the shade

We reported on the new Class 707 naval fuel supply vessels, which have now been laid down. However, the tanker procurement routes were not always so ideal.

The ancient shipbuilding tradition of hammering a coin into the keel of a ship is said to have existed thousands of years ago, as coins have been found under old ship masts during excavations. This is said to bring good sailing and luck to the ship and crew at all times.

The navy has not been waiting quite as long - but quite a while - for a replacement for the outdated Rhön-class fuel supply vessels. These single-hull tankers are still doing their duty thanks to professional crews, but over time their operation has not only become absurdly expensive - they consume up to 20 million euros a year in operating costs - but has also become a cause for concern from time to time, as many harbours were no longer allowed to be called at.