{{Short description|Class of six roll-on/roll-off sealift ships}} {{dablink|For the United States Coast Guard vessels see Point-class cutter.}} {{Infobox ship |sclass=2 |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = mv longstone.jpg | image_caption = MV ''Longstone'' }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview | name = Point class | builders =* Flensburger Schiffbau (4 ships) * Harland & Wolff, Belfast (2 ships) | operators = Foreland Shipping Ltd (formerly AWSR Ltd) | class_before = | class_after = | subclasses = | cost = | built_range = | in_service_range = 2002–present | in_commission_range = | total_ships_building = | total_ships_planned = | total_ships_completed = 6 | total_ships_canceled = | total_ships_active = 4 under contract with the MoD | total_ships_laid_up = | total_ships_lost = | total_ships_retired = | total_ships_scrapped = | total_ships_preserved = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | type = Roll-on/roll-off | tonnage ={{DWT|14,200}} | displacement = 23,000 tonnes full load<ref name="Handbook">''The Royal Navy Handbook'', 2003, Ministry of Defence, p. 104</ref> | length = {{convert|193.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Handbook" /> | beam = {{convert|26.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Handbook" /> | draught = {{convert|7.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Handbook" /> | draft = | depth = | hold_depth = | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | power = | propulsion =* 2 × MaK 94M43 diesel engines; {{convert|21,700|hp|abbr=on|lk=in|0}} * 2 propellers * Bow thruster | speed = {{cvt|21.5|kn}} | range = {{convert|9200|nmi|km|abbr=on|lk=in|order=flip}} | endurance = | boats = | capacity = * 2,650 linear metres of space for vehicles * 130 armoured vehicles and 60 trucks and ammunition or 8,000 tonnes of vehicles | troops = | complement = | crew = 18–22 | time_to_activate = | sensors = I-band navigation radar | EW = | armament = | armour = | armor = | aircraft = | aircraft_facilities = Can carry up to four helicopters including Chinook, Apache, Merlin and Wildcat. | notes = Sourced from ''Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009'', p. 876 }} }}
The '''Point class''' is a class of six roll-on/roll-off sealift ships originally procured under a Private Finance Initiative to be available for use as naval auxiliaries to the British armed forces. Two of the ships have now been released from the contract, leaving four available for service with the military.
==Background== {{Further|Strategic Defence Review (1998)}}
The Point-class sealift ships are the result of the 1998 Strategic Defence Review and are designed by Houlder Ltd for the strategic transport of military cargoes and vehicles in times of need. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has purchased a 22-year charter from Foreland Shipping (previously named AWSR Shipping), who own, operate and crew the ships, utilising them as merchant vessels when they are not required for military service. The small British crews are provided by Foreland Shipping and are required to be sponsored reserves as a condition of service, which means they can be called up to become part of the Armed Forces in times of crisis. The benefits of this is that it guarantees crews in times of crisis, it means crew members can be expected to work under the Armed Forces Act 2006 rather than the Merchant Navy Code of Conduct, and that they would be classed as combatants and be afforded the rights granted under the Geneva Convention.
[[File:Anvil Point, Marchwood.jpg|thumb|left|''Anvil Point'' at Marchwood Military Port]]Four ships were built by the German company Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, the balance being built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast. All are named for British points and headlands. They replaced the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries {{RFAux|Sea Centurion|A98|2}} and {{RFAux|Sea Crusader|A96|2}} in service. ''Anvil Point'' was the last ship built by the Harland and Wolff yard.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=John |title=Growing concerns for Harland and Wolff Belfast shipyard |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-49073445 |accessdate=29 July 2019 |agency=BBC Northern Ireland |publisher=BBC |date=22 July 2019}}</ref>
Of the six ships, MV ''Longstone'' and ''Beachy Head'' were on charter to the civilian company Transfennica operating a RoRo cargo ferry service in the Baltic Sea, connecting Hanko in Finland and Lübeck in Germany. Most recently they have been operating on the Immingham to Cuxhaven route for DFDS{{explain|date=June 2024}}. Other ships have also been involved in commercial activity with other companies and other militaries. All ships are available to the MoD at very short notice if required. The first four ships have been kept almost constantly busy on MoD duties since the build-up to the Iraq invasion in 2003, but MV ''Longstone'' and ''Beachy Head'' have seen little MoD service and were sold in 2013 as a result of budget cuts.
''Beachy Head'' now serves with the Republic of Singapore Navy as MV ''Mentor'' and is used for both training and sealift.<ref name="singapore">{{cite news |last1=Chuanren |first1=Chen |title=Singapore Navy receives new RO/RO civil resource ship |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/singapore-navy-receives-new-roro-civil-resource-ship/ |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=Shephard News |date=17 May 2024}}</ref>
== Operational history == thumb|MV ''Hartland Point'' carrying military equipment during Cougar 12 MV ''Hartland Point'' was part of the COUGAR 12 deployment under the Commander Amphibious Task Group and also active in operations off the Cornish coast in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/sitecore/content/home/news-and-events/latest-news/2012/october/08/121008-cougar-exercise-cornwall |title=All-action show from task group off Cornish coast | Royal Navy |access-date=2013-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202172439/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/sitecore/content/home/news-and-events/latest-news/2012/october/08/121008-cougar-exercise-cornwall |archive-date=2014-02-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/sitecore/content/home/news-and-events/latest-news/2012/september/27/120921-cougar-preview |title=Navy Roars into the Med for Key 2012 Deployment | Royal Navy |access-date=2013-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202172432/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/sitecore/content/home/news-and-events/latest-news/2012/september/27/120921-cougar-preview |archive-date=2014-02-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> MV ''Hurst Point'' made a port call at Gibraltar in August 2013 and was part of the next year's COUGAR 13 deployment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seawaves.com/portvisits.asp |title=Port Visits |work=seawaves.com |accessdate=2011-02-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716025838/http://www.seawaves.com/portvisits.asp |archivedate=2011-07-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-09-05a.167507.h|title=Navy: Military Exercises: 5 Sep 2013: Hansard Written Answers - TheyWorkForYou|work=theyworkforyou.com|accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> ''Hartland Point'' recently worked with the Royal Navy and French Navy on Operation Corsica Lion 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/october/16/151016-corsican-evacuation-exercise|title=Corsican evacuation tests Anglo-French Task Group - Royal Navy|work=mod.uk|accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> MV ''Hurst Point'' has been used to replenish the Falkland Islands garrison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forces.tv/53458628|title=Everything You Need To Know About British Forces In The Falklands|last=johnt|date=15 February 2016|work=forces.tv|accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> A ''Point''-class vessel was reported to call at the British military port in the islands (Mare Harbour) about once every six to eight weeks.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1838614949771514007?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |title=@NavyLookout MV Anvil Point - performing the Falklands Island Resupply Ship (FIRS) role has arrived at East Cove Military Port. |number=1838614949771514007 |user=NavyLookout |date=24 September 2024 |access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1053494/20210630-BFSAI_Nav_Risk_Assessment_2021-Public_Final.pdf |title=British Forces South Atlantic Islands East Cove Port Navigation Risk Assessment 2021 |last=Childs (RN) |first=Cdr J R |date=June 2021 |access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.mercopress.com/2024/09/18/falklands-firs-the-supply-link-between-uk-and-mount-pleasant-complex |title=Falklands: FIRS, the supply link between UK and Mount Pleasant Complex |website=Merco Press |date=18 September 2024|access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref>
MV ''Mentor'' represented the Republic of Singapore Navy alongside {{RSS|Supreme}} and {{RSS|Vigilance}} at the SIMBEX 2025 while the Indian Navy was represented by {{INS|Satpura}}. This was the 32nd edition of the military exercise and was hosted by Singapore between 28 July and 1 August 2025. The Republic of Singapore Air Force also participated with an S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, two Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircraft and two F-15SG fighter aircraft. The harbour phase was held at RSS ''Singapura'' base and was followed by the sea phase held in the southern parts of South China Sea. During the sea phase, the participating forces carried out advanced warfare drills, including gunnery firings, air defence exercises, and maritime security operations. The sea phase concluded with a ceremonial sail-past by the participating ships.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=INS Satpura arrives in Singapore for SIMBEX-25 |date=2025-07-30 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2150265 |access-date=2025-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2025-08-04 |title=Navies of India, Singapore conclude SIMBEX |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navies-of-india-singapore-conclude-simbex/article69892950.ece |access-date=2025-08-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
==PFI status== According to a Defence Select Committee report released in 2007, "Four of the Ro-Ro ships are permanently contracted to the MoD with the other two at notice for MoD tasking. For the two ships at notice, one can be accessed in 20 days and the other in 30 days."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmdfence/462/462.pdf |title=Strategic Lift |publisher=House of Commons Defence Committee |date=26 June 2007 |accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref>
In the Autumn 2011, it was stated that the two ships at short notice would be released from the PFI, leaving four ships available for use by the MoD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-11-06a.173614.h&s=%22private%20finance%20initiative%22%20ships#g173614.r0|title=Shipping: 6 Nov 2013: Hansard Written Answers - TheyWorkForYou|work=theyworkforyou.com|accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref> The ships released were the MV ''Beachy Head'' and the MV ''Longstone'', and the RMT union was informed that these vessels would be laid up or sold.<ref name="RMTnews">{{cite web | url=https://issuu.com/rmtunion/docs/rmt_news_july_13/26 | title=Shipping News | work=RMT News July/August 2013 | accessdate=2 June 2014 | author=Todd, Steve | pages=26}}</ref> As of 2023/24, the former ''Longstone'' had been renamed ''New Amsterdam'' and was sailing as a Netherlands-flagged vessel,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2055596 | title=LONGSTONE - IMO 9234082 | work=Shipspotting.com | accessdate=20 May 2023}}</ref> while former ''Beachy Head'' (now renamed MV ''Mentor'') was chartered by the Singapore Navy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/singapore-navy-receives-new-roro-civil-resource-ship/| title=Singapore Navy receives new RO/RO civil resource ship | work=Shephard News |last= Chuanren |first=Chen |date=17 May 2024 |accessdate=19 May 2024}}</ref>
The contract for the Ministry of Defence to use the remaining vessels was originally scheduled to have expired at the end of 2024. In October 2021 the MoD issued a Request for Information (RFI) for an “interim” Strategic Sealift capability to begin in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navylookout.com/transporting-military-hardware-around-the-world-uk-strategic-sealift/ | title=Transporting military hardware around the world – UK strategic sealift | website=Navy Lookout |date=9 March 2022 | accessdate=17 September 2023}}</ref> In November 2022, Foreland Shipping was awarded an "interim" seven-year contract, valued at £625M, to continue the service until December 2031.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1596077938956505088 |title=@NavyLookout Yet another deal signed by MoD in this hectic November. |number=1596077938956505088 |user=NavyLookout |date=25 November 2022 |access-date=2 May 2024}}</ref> This interim capability allows the MoD to continue with the current vessels until a longer-term replacement is found.
==Ships in the class== {| class="wikitable" !Name !Builder !Commissioned !Notes |- |MV ''Hurst Point'' |Flensburger Schiffbau<ref name="Janes">''Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004–2005''. Jane's Information Group Limited. p. 819. {{ISBN|0-7106-2623-1}}.</ref> |16 August 2002<ref name="Janes" /> | |- |MV ''Hartland Point'' |Harland & Wolff, Belfast<ref name="Janes" /> |11 December 2002<ref name="Janes" /> | |- |MV ''Eddystone'' |Flensburger Schiffbau<ref name="Janes" /> |28 November 2002<ref name="Janes" /> | |- |MV ''Anvil Point'' |Harland & Wolff, Belfast<ref name="Janes" /> |17 January 2003<ref name="Janes" /> | |- |MV ''Longstone'' |Flensburger Schiffbau<ref name="Janes" /> |24 April 2003<ref name="Janes" /> |Renamed ''New Amsterdam''. No longer available to the MoD |- | MV ''Beachy Head'' |Flensburger Schiffbau<ref name="Janes" /> |17 April 2003<ref name="Janes" /> |Renamed ''Mentor''. Chartered to the Republic of Singapore Navy<ref name="singapore"/> |}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Point-class sealift ship}} * [https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/rfa-roro.htm United Kingdom Strategic Sealift (Roll-On Roll-Off Vessels)] (globalsecurity.org)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Point Class Sealift Ship}} Category:Auxiliary transport ship classes