FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Shallow-water ports make getting fuel the military needs a challenge. While an offshore mooring system is ideal to allow tanker ships to discharge fuel without being at a pier, this method isn’t always available.
As an alternative, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Korea exercised a method called “lightering” – the transfer of cargo from a larger vessel to a smaller vessel – to get fuel from South Korea to Okinawa.
“Lightering operations present another opportunity to increase our overall readiness posture,” said Army Lt. Col. Dennis Han, DLA Energy Korea commander. “This capability and expertise can be applied around the world to ensure our warfighters have the fuel they need, when and where they need it.”
From July 2023 to January 2024, DLA Energy Korea quality assurance representatives conducted 15 fuel lightering operations using specialized hoses to move the fuel between the ships while they were at sea. Each operation required meticulous handling to ensure the fuel is properly handled.
“Real-world operations such as these highlight the important role DLA Energy QARs play not only for Korea but for the entire Indo-Pacific region,” Han said. “Throughout the process, these highly trained quality control experts monitor the fuel, the vessels and the transfer equipment to ensure hoses and connections are secure – free of leaks – and are continually gauging transfer tanks and receiving tanks to ensure product accountability. All this in conjunction with sampling and testing the product to ensure fuel is within established product specifications.”
Victor Madaris, DLA Energy Korea deputy commander, said the cross training was particularly important.
“We started with one QAR experienced and qualified for these operations and ended with everyone trained and certified,” Madaris said. “Being prepared and ready to execute lightering operations is crucial to not only unexpected port facility problems affecting vessel draft and mooring restrictions, but also contingency operations at unimproved ports across the Pacific.”
While lightering requires the technical supervision of a DLA Energy QAR, DLA Energy Korea Quality Assurance Supervisor Eric Aviles said it’s a team effort. Experts from the Military Sealift Command and DLA Energy Headquarters worked together with commercial partners to ensure the fuel was properly transferred.
“Coordinating and scheduling tanker operations is a combined effort,” Aviles said. “We would not be able to execute these important missions if not for our strong partnerships and close working relationships.”
DLA Energy has forward-deployed liaison officers and regional offices across the Indo-Pacific region, including Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii and Guam to support warfighter and Combatant Command fuel and energy requirements.