Dutch Naval Vessel Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman Departs for Red Sea on EU Mission – Latest Updates

The naval vessel Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman left for the Red Sea this afternoon. The ship will participate in the EU mission to protect international shipping traffic against attacks by the Yemeni Houthis. The mission will last until the end of August.

The 250 crew members said goodbye to friends and family in their home port of Den Helder. The Karel Doorman is a logistics support ship and its job is, among other things, to supply fuel to other ships. This allows ships to stay at sea longer without calling at a port.

The ship may also serve as a tactical headquarters. Medical facilities are also on board and a Swedish military trauma team, including several surgeons, will travel on.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have carried out attacks in the Red Sea almost every day in recent weeks, the MIVD military intelligence service says. Since November, the Houthis have been targeting ships they say have links to Israel. They do this in retaliation for Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.

At this time, another Dutch cruiser, the Zr. Ms. Tromp, also in the Red Sea. The Tromp is an air defense and guidance tool that must repel any missile or drone attacks. The ship has 200 crew members.

Trump’s mission in the Red Sea will be completed next week. The frigate will then travel on to carry out exercises in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, and then return to the Netherlands in September.