Resolve-class oiler Asterix hits the water

Davie Shipbuilding has launched the Royal Canadian Navy's Project Resolve auxiliary oiler replenishment ship Asterix at its Quebec shipyard.

The naval support ship started life as a containership and has been undergoing conversion into a naval support ship since October 2015.

The 182.5-metres-long vessel can transport up to 7,000 tonnes of fuel at speeds of up to 25 knots.

Asterix has two cranes allowing the loading and unloading of containers accessible at sea, a helicopter deck, two hangars, a hospital for 60 patients and kitchens able to feed 1,000 people.

The ship will be leased to the Canadian government while Federal Fleet Services, a Davie sister company, operates the ship with a mixed crew of merchant seafarers and Royal Canadian Navy personnel.

The ship is expected to start its sea trials on November 16 before achieving full operational capability.