A former motor tanker from Philippine National Oil Company was added to the Philippine Navy’s inventory during a Christening and Commissioning Ceremony on May 23, 2015 at Naval Station Pascual Ledesma, Fort San Felipe, Cavite City.
BRP Lake Caliraya (AF81) was the former MT Lapu-Lapu of the PNOC Shipping and Transport Corporation that was donated to the Philippine Navy on March 26, 2014.
Rear Adm. Leopoldo M. Alano AFP, the Commander, Philippine Fleet expressed his pleasure in his welcome remarks as the Fleet came to fulfill its basic mandate of providing capabilities to fulfill the requirements of a secured maritime nation.
The motor tanker is one of the recent capability development program undertaken by the PN through the Philippine Fleet. Her inclusion in inventory will greatly enhance the replenishment capability of the Navy. Navy ships will no longer have to travel farther inland just to refuel as POL requirements will already be available in the nearest naval installation. Problems on fuel contamination will now be addressed as AF81 is built for this purpose.
AF81 is a single product Replenishment Platform that has a depot-to-ship, ship-to-depot, and a ship-to-ship refueling capabilities.
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Image: Philippine Navy