The award provides for the payment of two annuities, for an amount of 6,7 million euros for 2020 and 800,000 euros during the period 2021... the Suardiaz Group is a conglomerate of companies dedicated to multimodal transport and global logistics services, with international presence in Spain, France, Morocco, Algeria, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia (Photo www.defensa.com)

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the purchase of the ship Ro-Ro Galicia, of the Spanish company group Suardíaz, for an amount of 7,5 million euros. With this acquisition our FAS will have a new ship for the logistics transport and will strengthen its capabilities in the transport of material by sea following the recent fall caused by the logistics ships Martín Posadillo (A-05) and El Camino Español (A-04).

Built in 2003 by the shipyard Vigues J.Barreras, it is a ro-RO / Roll ON Roll Off (RO-RO / Roll ON Roll Off), with 16,361 gross tons, 149 meters in length for 21 manga and a 5.7-metre plank. According to the Suardiaz Group website, the current configuration of the ship allows to transport up to a total of 45 trucks and a total volume of 1,117 vehicles, with a capacity to load 4,225 tons.

Once the procurement contract is completed, Galicia must pass through the yard again to be subjected to a process of technical renewal (retrofitting) where the tasks necessary for the adaptation to its new tasks will be carried out. A process that could take several months, ending when the ship is renamed and joined the service with its new designation on the Navy's Official Ship List, as responsible for operating the logistics ships owned by the Earth Army

Defense was looking for a ship less than 22 years old capable of transporting different means, including: heavy weapons vehicles (Army of Earth combat cars) Leopard 2E (62 tons) or Centauro (24 tons), in addition to high-capacity containers; missile systems on platform (Patriot), 15-ton crane vehicles, buses, etc.

In this way, the characteristics announced by the Office of the Logistics Transport Ship (BTL) programme in the General Directorate of Arms and Material (DGAM) describe a vessel capable of accommodating between 1,500 and 1,800 linear meters of wheel vehicles and chains of very different dimensions and characteristics. It also included the requirement to have two covers for the transport of rolling cargo, a length of 150 meters and not exceeding 6 metres of rolling, requirements that fit the specifications of the acquired vessel.

The agreement has been closed following an award process that has not been without setbacks. Last July, the DGAM launched the procedures for acquiring such a vessel, but the invitation to tender was left behind as the only high proposal did not meet the above requirements. After reopening the file, on this occasion, the DGAM has chosen to negotiate directly with a company, in this case Flea Suardiaz.