The Chilean Navy has officially commissioned a 42,000t ship, the AO-52 Almirante Montt, which will serve the navy as a fleet replenishment tanker.

Chile purchased the ship from the US Navy under a $30m foreign military sale programme to replace its decommissioned AO-53 Araucano.

Prior to its commission, the AO-52 Almirante Montt underwent major upgrades in Mobile, Louisiana.

The 203m-long, 29.6m-wide replenishment tanker has a capacity to carry 180,000 barrels of fuel and can cruise at a speed of 20kts with an accommodation for 103.