According to information published by the French Navy on February 17, 2022, the Durance-class tanker refueled the FREMM Normandie in the Eastern Mediterranean. Both ships are a part of the French Carrier Strike Group, gathered around the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
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FREMM frigate Normandie and Durance-class tanker Marne (Picture source: French Navy)
Marne is a Durance-class command and replenishment tanker (BCR) of the French Navy. In addition to its primary duty as a fleet tanker, Marne is configured as a flagship and has served as such in the Indian Ocean.
She was launched on 2 February 1985 and given the pennant number A 630. Marne was commissioned into the French Navy on 16 January 1987.
Durance-class ships have a standard displacement of 7,900 t (7,800 long tons) and 18,800 t (18,500 long tons) at full load.
The oiler is 157.3 metres (516 ft 1 in) long overall and 149 m (488 ft 10 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 21.2 m (69 ft 7 in) and a draught of 8.65 m (28 ft 5 in) empty and 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in) at full load.
The class of ships is powered by two SEMT Pielstick 16 PC2.5 V 400 diesel engines turning two LIPS controllable pitch propellers rated at 15,000 kilowatts (20,000 hp).
Marne has a maximum speed of 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph) and a range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).
