Seaward Services Concludes 15-year Westpac Express Work

Seaward Services, an HMS Global Maritime company, recently marked the end of a 15-year working relationship with Austal on the Westpac Express project. Seaward Services was awarded a contract in 2001 to provide operations, maintenance and technical management. Effective June 1, 2016, while another company has taken over the charter of the vessel, Seaward Services will continue its operations, maintenance and technical management of the Westpac Express. 

 

The High-Speed Vessel (HSV) Westpac Express transports military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia for the Marine Corps Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and Military Sealift Command. The 101-meter vessel, home ported in Okinawa, Japan, can carry 970 troops and 236 vehicles, and travel at speeds of 35 knots. Prior to the vessel’s employment, the III MEF transported personnel and equipment by traditional air and conventional ship lift. The Westpac Express’ capacity allows a single lift to accomplish what traditionally would be accomplished in multiple lifts over a 14 to 16 day period.