United States Transportation Command

WASHINGTON (USTCNS) --- The Navy's Military Sealift Command and the U.S. Marine Corps' Third Marine Expeditionary Force opened a new chapter in defense logistics Jan. 30.

MSC awarded a $31 million, 36-month contract to Austal Ships Pty. Ltd. of Henderson, Australia, to operate a high speed catamaran for III MEF. When reimbursables are included, the contract could total more than $49 million. The twin-hull ship, WestPac Express, will transport III MEF personnel and equipment in the Japanese and Pacific region.

The 331-foot-long WestPac Express is capable of sustaining at least 33 knots fully loaded with 970 passengers and 32,000 square feet of cargo. The ship can carry an entire reinforced battalion of Marines-both people and equipment. WestPac Express has a shallow draft of only 14 feet, which will enable her to operate in a wide variety of ports.

"The use of a high-speed vessel revolutionizes the way our customer, III MEF, can do business," said Chris Thayer, director of MSC's Strategic and Corporate Planning Directorate. "The Marines will save money, increase the battalion's operational readiness and improve their quality of life by minimizing their total days away from base."

Using a commercial high-speed vessel to transport III MEF personnel and equipment frees about 10 military airplanes and one ship for other military purposes. This is advantageous in a time of limited military resources and increased operational tempo. WestPac Express also enables the Marines to move with their equipment, instead of flying separately and having to marry up with their equipment on site.

"This is a great example of how the military can use commercial sources to meet unique military requirements," said Thayer.

Prior to the award of the MSC contract, WestPac Express completed a six-month contract with the Marine Corps that began in July 2001. During the initial contract, the Marines reported that the ship more than met their requirements, demonstrating the effectiveness of using commercial high-speed ships to rapidly deploy troops and equipment.

WestPac Express, currently Panamanian flagged, will be re-flagged to U.S. registry during the course of the contract.

WestPac Express joins more than 110 ships operated daily worldwide by Military Sealift Command, the ocean transportation provider for the Department of Defense. MSC ships provide a variety of missions from logistics support of Navy ships at sea; to prepositioning of military equipment and supplies near potential hotspots around the globe; to surge sealift of military equipment in peacetime and war; to special missions support for the Department of Defense.

(FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

MSC contracts high speed vessel for Marine Corps

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