The US Navy will christen and launch the latest logistic cargo ship USNS Matthew Perry, which will join the Military Sealift Command’s naval fleet auxiliary force on 16 August 2009.

The Lewis-and-Clark Class dry cargo ship will join the fleet to deliver food, ammunition, fuel and supplies to the same class of deployed ships.

A crew of 124 civil service mariners and 11 sailors will operate the 689ft-long ship, which weighs 42,000t.

The ship will be christened in honour of Commodore Matthew C Perry, who opened US trade lanes with Japan.