Navy's first strategic sealift vessel arrives in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy's first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) has arrived at the Manila South Harbor breakwater on Saturday midnight.

Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna confirmed that the country's first SSV, BRP Tarlac, docked at Pier 13. It has entered Philippine territory through the Sibutu passage in Tawi-Tawi on Thursday,

The ship and crew will undergo Customs Immigration and Quarantine, Lincuna said.

BRP Tarlac concluded its sea trials prior to its arrival in Manila. The testing phase sought to check the performance of all the vessel's machineries and equipment.

READ: Navy's new strategic sealift vessel undergoes sea trials

"It is also conducted to check and measure the ship's general performance and seaworthiness," Lincuna said.

The Philippines ordered two SSVs from PT PAL for P3.87 billion which was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization fund.

The Navy initiated the acquisition of the ships upon the approval of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in 2013.

The SSVs will serve as the Navy's command center by carrying out their main purpose as military sealift and transport vessels, as well as for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Each ship is estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons. The vessels have the capability to transport large numbers of soldiers, logistics and supplies.