Supply ships

Navy ships have to be able to remain at sea continuously for long periods of time. That is only possible if they are resupplied regularly. For that purpose, the navy has 1 supply ship: HNLMS Amsterdam. This ships supplies at sea all of the goods that other ships require, such as fuel, clothing, feed and ammunition.

Until mid-December 2011, the Defence organisation had another supply ship at its disposal: HNLMS Zuiderkruis. This ship was decommissioned on 15 December 2011.

Specifications

HNLMS Amsterdam

Ship's company		160
Water displacement		17,040 tonnes
Overall length		166 m
Overall beam		22 m
Draught		8 m
Propulsion		MAN/Bazan diesels, total 24,000 hp
Speed		21 knots
Weapons		2x .50 mm machine guns, Goalkeeper 30 mm
Sensors		Radar interception system, chaff to mislead radar
Cargo capacity		6,700 tonnes of diesel oil, 1,660 tonnes of aviation fuel, 500 tonnes of cargo
Helicopters		4 x Westland Lynx helicopters or 3 NH-90 helicopters

Resupply at sea

The ship has 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.

Tasks

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.