PNS Moawin (A39)

PNS Moawin (A39), is a fleet replenishment tanker currently in service with the Pakistan Navy. Designed by the Turkish firm, STM, she was built and constructed by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works in Karachi, Pakistan. Moawin  is noted for its displacement, being the largest warship ever built in Pakistan.

The Pakistan military announced in 2016 that the ship would contain medical facilities and work as a replenishment tanker.

PNS Moawin was deployed in the Red sea because of the attacks made on international ships and vessels by the Houthi Rebels of Yemen Starting from late 2023, following the Isarel - Hamas war. PNS Moawin is deployed for oil replenishment of PNS Aslat and PNS shamsheer.

Brief overview
On 22 January 2013, the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) signed a contract with the Turkish company STM to design the ship in Turkey together with providing a Kit of Materials to Pakistan, while the engineering construction, outfitting, and sea trials were to be undertaken by Karachi Shipyard in Pakistan. Steel cutting started on 27 November 2013 before the keel was laid down in Karachi on 7 March 2014. She was launched on 19 August 2016 in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Moawin was commissioned by President Arif Alvi on 16 October 2018.

Moawin is designed to provide the Navy's auxiliary support including refuelling and replenishing naval warships. PNS Moawin is armed with two Aselsan STOP remote weapon stations.

Construction design and propulsion
Moawin  has an overall length of 158.4 m, a beam of 22 m and a draught of 6.85 m. The ship displaces about 17000 t at full load. The complement is about 228, including 20 officers & 208 enlisted.

The ship is powered by two diesel engines providing a total power of 12 MW, allowing the ship to reach a maximum speed of 20 kn and an endurance of 10000 nmi at 15 kn. The fleet tanker can stay at sea for 90 days.

The vessel complies with the latest International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and marine pollution (MARPOL) regulations.