Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam Prepares HNLMS Evertsen for Journey to Japan
Following a six-week maintenance phase, Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam has this week returned the HNLMS Evertsen to the Royal Netherlands Navy. The shipyard diligently collaborated—with its Dutch partners—to ready the Air Defence and Command frigate for deployment on various missions, including an extensive voyage of nearly 40,000 kilometers that she will soon embark on to Japan alongside the UK Carrier Strike Group.
The HNLMS Evertsen is among the four air defence and command frigates (LCF) within the De Zeven Provinciën class. Constructed under the supervision of Damen Naval in Vlissingen, these state-of-the-art LCF frigates were built between 1998 and 2005 by the Dutch maritime sector. At that time, over 80 percent of the production’s value stemmed from Damen’s Dutch maritime suppliers, primarily SMEs, illustrating the innovative capabilities of this industry.
The maintenance undertakings were performed from 1 March to 13 April on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Naval Maintenance and Sustainment Agency (DMI). This initiative also involved several Dutch firms such as Braspenning Coatings from Amsterdam, FMJ NW installation company from Amsterdam, ARP Valve Repair in Middelburg, BUKO Algeco (Beverwijk), and RBC Safety based in Rotterdam. The upkeep of the propeller shafts was managed by Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam, under the oversight of Wärtsilä Nederlands, in partnership with Wagenborg Nedlift and PMR Hydraulics, among others. Moreover, several minor refurbishments and repainting tasks were undertaken on the frigate.
Starting in May, HNLMS Evertsen will be integrated into the UK Carrier Strike Group. Commanded by the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, this flotilla has Japan as its ultimate destination. The strike group will engage in numerous operations and training exercises with allies and partners along the journey, including maritime missions with NATO in the Mediterranean Sea and Coalition operations in the Middle East.
The next extensive planned maintenance program for the HNLMS Evertsen is anticipated to occur in 2022.
