American ships can now take on fuel from Royal Navy depots in Scotland, in a move designed to support U.S. Navy operations in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

The Royal Navy say here that the two nations have signed a fuel storage agreement, giving the US Navy access to two key depots on the West Coast, this is outside of the NATO framework the access was previously under.

“The tanks at Campbeltown and on Loch Striven already support Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary operations. The new Anglo-American agreement means the Royal Navy can purchase, deliver, store and issue bunker and cargo fuel at its Campbeltown and Loch Striven depots on behalf of the US Navy and Military Sealift Command – the American fleet’s vital supply/support arm, counterpart to our own RFA.

In addition to supplying US warships and Military Sealift Command vessels, these depots will continue to hold and issue to Royal Navy and RFA ships, as well as provisioning other allied navies. The deal underlines the ever-closer logistics cooperation between the Royal and US Navies in support of the interoperability and integration agreement signed by London and Washington, designed to allow both Navies to operate together and help support each other.”

The U.S. Navy say:

“The agreement supports U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa requirements in Europe and works in concert with the already established Fuel Exchange Agreement between DLA Energy and the UK Navy.”

Commodore Paul Murphy, Deputy Director (Logistics) at Navy Command, was quoted as saying:

“This fuel agreement supports a key ally and strengthens our enduring and special relationship at a time when allied cooperation in the North Atlantic and elsewhere is more important than ever.”

Oil and Pipelines Agency, which manages Naval Oil Fuel Depots, chief executive Adrian Jackson said:

“The Campbeltown and Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depots are thrilled to have American fuel once again and both depots will be storing F-76 and F-44 for the US. Several visits were held with US Navy representatives last year and they herald a future strong and reciprocal professional relationship. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

The Royal Navy add that the Fuel Storage Agreement is in place initially for five years, with an automatic five-year extension period and allows for revisions as world events evolve, strengthening allied operations and international cooperation in the North Atlantic and High North.

You can read more on this from the Royal Navy by clicking here.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes
1 year ago

I am slightly surprised to learn that there isn’t already a NATO wide system in place tbh.

DRS
DRS
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark Hughes

What about US weapons storage? Do they use the Northern Ammunition Jetty at Glen Mallan on Loch Long or anywhere else?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  DRS

I’m not aware of any US use of the Glen Douglas site ( which is the storage facility associated with Glen Mallen.)

Robert1
Robert1
1 year ago

Not certain of weapons storage but recently have begun using DM Crombie with visit by USNS Patuxent. Not clear from press release what cargo & stores they referred to, but definitely expansion of US use of UK facilities.

johan
johan
1 year ago
Reply to  DRS

Read somewhere that US works on the option that it can transport what it needs at short notice to other locations 1st be air then ship.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark Hughes

Yes, I’m sure I’d seen those sites described as NATO depots previously.

johan
johan
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark Hughes

Word is that there was, BUT WAIT FOR IT,,, it used Russian supplied Fuel oil, as this is where the EU sourced it. USA and UK was sourced from A N OTHER.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago

Interesting, what of the 3rd west coast POL Depot at Loch Ewe?

Drew Gibson
Drew Gibson
1 year ago

Indeed and my belief is that all 3 were NATO Fuel Depots. In addition many other UK bases have been used by American vessels for repairs and re storing. I am a retired MOD CS and have participated. I also served in a RFA and have seen RAS completed between the two Nations and NATO.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Drew Gibson

And mine Drew, NATO POL Depots.