Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Guidance is an auxiliary ship operated for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) by Teekay Shipping Australia. The ship was purchased in February 2023[1] to serve as the RAN's undersea support vessel.
In December 2022, the offshore supply vessel Normand Jarl was sold by Solstad Offshore,[2] with Defence Australia later announcing the acquisition in April 2023 at a price of AU$110 million.[3] This ship had been built in Norway, and originally entered service in 2013. Following the purchase the ship underwent maintenance and checks in Singapore, and sailed for Australia in September 2023.[4] She was renamed Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Guidance while in Singapore and given a new homeport of Sydney.
Guidance has a displacement of approximately 7,400 tons, and is 107m (351feet) long and 22m (72feet) wide. She has a large cargo deck and a crane. The ship's bridge, helipad and crew accommodation is located in her large forward superstructure.