HrMs Amsterdam

HrMs Amsterdam (A836) is one of two replenishment ships serving with the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Amsterdam entered service in 1995.

HrMs Amsterdam deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Enduring Freedom during 2005/2006 and provided assistance to two American naval vessels after a battle they had fought with pirates on March 18, 2006.

The ships have a helicopter deck and a hangar for several helicopters. The cargo capacity is 10,300 tonnes, including 9,000 tonnes of fuel. Resupply at sea is done by shooting a line from the supply ship to the client ship. When the supply ship is hooked up to the frigate by the line, supplies can be hoisted from one ship to the other, or a fuel line can be run.

The task of a supply ship is primarily resupplying Dutch or Allied fleets at sea. Supply ships are, first and foremost, tankers and can therefore transport diesel oil and aviation fuel.

All kinds of food can also be stored in the ship. One supply ship can service 3 other ships at the same time. The helicopters from the supply ships can also be used for vertical replenishment, in addition to search-and-rescue operations and anti-submarine warfare.

The 2 supply ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy are not identical. HrMs Zuiderkruis was built in Rotterdam by Verolme Scheepswerven and went into service in 1975. The Zuiderkruis is scheduled to be replaced by a Joint Support Ship in approximately 2014.

HrMs Amsterdam is a ship of a more recent date. It was built by the Schelde Group in Flushing, and went into service in 1995.

She is seen here arriving in Leith