WILLEMSTAD:--- On Thursday evening, September 11, HNLMS Van Amstel moored in St. Anna Bay in Willemstad. She will be active in the Caribbean in the coming period. The M-frigate will thus bridge the gap between HNLMS Friesland and HNLMS Groningen in the area. The maritime military presence is typically provided by patrol vessels; the transition from the OPV (Ocean Patrol Vessel) type to the M-frigate is due to resource availability. HNLMS Van Amstel has previously sailed in the region, most recently in 2017 for a three-month period.
After the handover, HNLMS Friesland will depart for the Netherlands for scheduled maintenance. The next station ship, HNLMS Groningen, could not immediately take over the duties due to the delays in her own scheduled maintenance. To bridge the relief period, HNLMS Van Amstel arrived today. The Ministry of Defence aims to establish a permanent maritime military presence in the Caribbean with the station ship. The deployable assets depend on available capacities, rotation, and maintenance schedules.
HNLMS Friesland served as a station ship in the Caribbean for five months. During this period, the ship intercepted over 13,500 kilograms of contraband. With the permanent presence of a station ship in the region, the Ministry of Defence contributes to peace and security in the Caribbean.