Royal Thai Navy Allocates 434 Million Baht for New Tanker Ship to Replace HTMS Chula, Contract Awarded to Thai Shipyard
The Royal Thai Navy awarded a 434 million baht contract to Thai shipbuilder TINDY to construct a new oil tanker to replace the aging HTMS Chula, which will be decommissioned in 2026 after 45 years of service.
On April 28, 2025, Royal Thai Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Paratj Rattanajaipan announced that the Navy is proceeding with a project to acquire one oil tanker to replace HTMS Chula, which was commissioned on December 30, 1980 and has served for over 45 years. The vessel is now at the end of its operational lifespan and is scheduled for decommissioning in 2026.
This project aligns with the Royal Thai Navy Strategy 2017-2037 (revised 2023) to maintain maritime logistics capabilities across regional naval commands. The new tanker will enhance the Navy's ability to conduct military operations and humanitarian missions, while promoting Thailand's domestic shipbuilding industry and technological capabilities.
The new oil tanker is designed and constructed to international standards and Royal Thai Navy specifications, including RINA classification standards, SOLAS and MARPOL conventions, and relevant maritime engineering standards. It will feature a high-safety fuel transfer system for efficient fuel replenishment operations while minimizing spillage risk and meeting international environmental standards.
On March 30, 2025, the Ministry of Defence approved the Navy's contract with Thai International Dockyards Limited (TINDY) through a selective procurement process, with a total budget of 434,634,000 baht and delivery scheduled for 2026. The contract was signed today with TINDY, an experienced Thai shipbuilder that has previously collaborated with the Royal Thai Navy.
The Royal Thai Navy confirmed that this project will significantly strengthen maritime security, enhance logistics capabilities, and enable the Navy to efficiently respond to evolving security challenges.
