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US firm VSE Corporation has announced that a ship commissioning ceremony has been held to officially transfer the newly-acquired fuel delivery vessel Alimirante Montt to the Chilean Navy. The ship, formerly known as USNS Andrew Andrew J. Higgins, was officially commissioned in a ceremony held pier side at Atlantic Marine’s Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

Almirante Montt will support the U.S. Navy fleet whenever there is a requirement to provide replenishment for ships operating in the South Pacific for the next 10 years through a memorandum of understanding between the two navies.

The ship was towed from Suisun Bay (near San Francisco) arriving in Mobile on November 2nd. The shipyard and VSE technical representatives reactivated the equipment and in some cases replaced equipment to make the ship safe to sail.

The VSE N*STAR team taught the crew how to operate and maintain all shipboard equipment and systems. The crew also received hands-on-training by repairing/replacing equipment, including shipboard damage control systems.

The 677-foot-long/97.5-foot wide Almirante Montt has a maximum speed of 20 knots (24 mph) and a cargo capacity of 180,000 barrels of fuel.

U.S. Navy 4th Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Guillory said the transfer of the ship is a win for both countries. “I think it gives Chile’s Navy tremendous capability, not only in replenishing their ships, but also in their ability to do humanitarian disaster relief and other events that occur in this region of the world.”

USNS Andrew J. Higgins was commissioned a U.S. Navy ship in October 1987. While in service she was operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC) and supported U.S. Navy ships in the Pacific, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

The first phase of the reactivation work is expected to be completed in early March. After seaworthiness trials are accomplished, the ship will begin her voyage to Chile.

Upon arrival at the ASMAR Shipyard in Chile, the second phase of work will begin to activate the underway replenishment equipment to permit the transfer of fuel to other ships at sea.

Upon completion of the second phase of work, Almirante Montt will replace the replenishment ship AO 51 Arauncano.