The Multi-Role Vessel CANTERBURY is the first of seven new ships built for the Royal New Zealand Navy under Project Protector. She is affiliated to the Canterbury Region. She was built at the Merwede Shipyard in the Netherlands, under contract to Tenix. CANTERBURY’s design is based on a commercial RO-RO ship, Ben-My-Chree in operation in the Irish Sea.

CANTERBURY has a diesel-electric propulsion and a maximum speed of just over 19 knots. She provides a sealift capability for the transport and deployment of equipment, vehicles and personnel, and is capable of transferring cargo and personnel ashore in benign conditions (up to sea state 3) when port facilities are not available. CANTERBURY has two 59 tonne Landing Craft Medium (LCM) capable of carrying 50 tonnes at 9 knots with a range of 250 nm.

HMNZS CANTERBURY - L421

Specifications

Displacement: 9000 tonnes
Length overall: 131 metres
Beam: 23.4 metres
Speed: 19 knots

Complement: Core ship's company: 53
Flight personnel: 10
Government agencies: 4
Army ship's staff: 7
Trainees: 35
Troops: 250
Total: 360

Propulsion: Diesel engines
Flight deck: Space for two helicopters
Armament: 25mm and two .50 calibre machine guns

Helicopter capability

The NH90 Helicopter has been selected as the NZDF’s preferred mediumUtility Helicopter to replace RNZAF’S Iroquois. Up to four NH90’s canbe carried onboard the MRV for deployment ashore in support of Armyoperations and disaster relief activities. The MRV is also capable ofoperating the SH-2G Seasprite and the helicopter deck is able to handlea Chinook-size helicopter.