Quebec firm pushes Canada to keep Asterix resupply ship for Navy
A Quebec-based company is making a concerted effort to persuade the Canadian military and government to continue operating a privately-leased refueling vessel that has been a cornerstone of the Royal Canadian Navy's logistics since 2018. The MV Asterix, now known as Combat Supply Ship Asterix, is under a lease agreement set to expire in January 2028, and the firm leasing the ship is proposing either an extension of the arrangement or a direct purchase by the government.
John Schmidt, president of Federal Fleet Services, emphasized the vessel's importance, stating, "Asterix has been a great asset to the navy and it's one we think they will continue to need." The 26,000-tonne Asterix was originally a commercial vessel converted for naval resupply by Davie Shipbuilding and is leased to Canada through Federal Fleet, a Davie affiliate. The ship is capable of refueling warships at sea and providing essential supplies and stores to support naval operations.
The Royal Canadian Navy originally operated three replenishment ships of its own, but all were retired due to age and, in one instance, fire damage. The navy had planned to replace these aging vessels with new Joint Support Ships built on the west coast, but that project has been plagued by extensive delays and cost overruns. The Asterix was brought in as a fallback and has been considered a rare success in Canada's shipbuilding industry, delivered on time and within budget under a $659 million deal.
Shortly after its delivery in early 2018, the Asterix was deployed at sea to support both Royal Canadian Navy and allied operations. The crew is provided by Federal Fleet, with a contingent of Royal Canadian Navy sailors onboard to assist with direction and training. The original lease was for five years but was extended to early 2028 due to delays in the Joint Support Ship program.
John Schmidt noted that government procurement officials were initially opposed to renewing the Asterix lease because the vessel's success highlighted the failures of the Joint Support Ship program. The first Joint Support Ship was originally expected in 2012, but that date has shifted multiple times, with later estimates pointing to 2018, then 2019, and then 2022 or 2023. Currently, the delivery of the first vessel, the future HMCS Protecteur, is planned for 2027, followed by a series of trials. Construction of the second ship, the future HMCS Preserver, began in May 2022, with delivery expected in 2027-28.
The Ottawa Citizen sought comment from the Canadian military and Department of National Defence on June 3 regarding the future of Asterix, but no response was provided. The company remains hopeful that the government will recognize the ship's ongoing value to the navy's operational capabilities.
