Joint Logistic Support Ship Karel Doorman Commissioned Into Royal Netherlands Navy

: Posted On Wednesday, 29 April 2015 11:18

Naval Forces News - Netherlands

Joint Logistic Support Ship Karel Doorman Commissioned Into Royal Netherlands Navy

The Joint Logistic Support Ship (JSS) Karel Doorman was officially put into service in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 29 April. The largest ship of the Dutch navy is now called His Majesty (Zr. Ms.) Karel Doorman.

"The Karel Doorman is impressive in size, but also because of the number of functionalities. This ship is literally a multi-tool, "said Commander of Naval Forces lieutenant-general Rob Verkerk at commissioning. "It can be used for strategic transport of our armed forces, our allies and international organizations like NATO and the UN. Both military and humanitarian. That Doorman already proved recently in the fight against Ebola. With this combination of features, the Karel Doorman delivers a truly international niche capability. "

JSS Karel Doorman during trials conducting an underway replenishment with the frigate F803 Tromp. Picture: Royal Netherlands Navy

The new logistical support vessel can be deployed to supply units at sea, for strategic sea transport, and for logistical support from the sea (“seabasing”), with the ship acting as a seaborne base for implementing and supporting land operations. It must be possible to perform these duties worldwide, and anywhere within the spectrum of force. In addition to a below-deck transport deck, medical facilities, and its own loading and unloading facilities, the new vessel also has a helicopter deck with two landing pads for different types of helicopters.

The Karel Doorman replaces two supply ships, the HNLMS Zuiderkruis (decommissioned in 2012) and the HNLMS Amsterdam (to be decommissioned this year). The new vessel was largely built at Damen’s shipyard in Romania, but has been fitted out in Vlissingen.

The ship has a cargo deck area of 1730 square meters to house combat and transport equipment (including tanks Leopard 2A6), a vast hangar for the permanent home of six helicopters, NH90 helicopters and two CH-47 Chinook, a flight deck with two runways for heavy helicopters, as well as significant volume for cargo and fuel - 7700 cubic meters of fuel oil, 1,000 cubic meters of aviation fuel, 450 tons of water and 400 tons of ammunition and other goods, with the possibilities to transfer them while underway at sea (at a rate of 680 cubic meters of liquid per hour).

It is fitted with an integrated mast I-Mast 400, a Sea Master 400 radar and a Sea Watcher 100 by Thales Nederland. Armament consists of two seven-barreled 30mm anti-aircraft gun systems Goalkeeper by Rheinmetall and six remote-controlled turret units - two Oto Melara Marlin WS 30 mm cannons and four Oto Melara Hitrole NT with 12.7-mm machine guns