Ex-SPS Marques de la Ensenada (A-11)

Spain / Cadiz / Rota /
 military, navy, ship, auxiliary
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Commissioned into service with the Spanish Navy in March of 1991 as one of several "off the shelf" Logistical Support Ship/Oilers purchased or built by the Armada Espanola in order to bolster their blue water operational capabilities, the Marques de la Ensenada (A-11) saw extensive use in her designed role of providing fuel and supplies to the ships of the Spanish Navy and NATO forces.

Operating throughout the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian oceans through her two-decade career, the ship and her crew maintained a high-frequency deployment schedule until the arrival of the second purpose-built Fleet Oiler SPS Cantabria (A15) to the Fleet in September of 2010 began to lessen the demand for the ships services. Facing an expensive overhaul and yard period to maintain her level of operations with the Armada, the vessel was instead decommissioned in January of 2012 and has remained in reserve since, awaiting either emergency reactivation, foreign military sale or possible scrapping.
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Coordinates:   36°37'22"N   6°19'49"W
This article was last modified 12 years ago