China’s PLA Navy is testing a portable underway-replenishment system that can convert any cargo ship with the right deck configuration into a dry stores naval auxiliary.
The development can potentially give the PLA a way to utilize China’s 3,500-vessel merchant fleet in case of war.
China Military notes that
Using civilian ships to carry out UNREP for naval ships is a new attempt in the field of naval logistics support. The civilian vessels cover a wide range of routes, thus have large potential...
https://safety4sea.com/pla-navy-tests-container-vessel-for-underway-replenishment/