The reason why a Dutch navy ship was docked in Cardiff Bay for four days has been explained. HNLMS Van Amstel was docked in ABP's Port of Cardiff from Thursday, March 16, assisted by SMS tugboats Riverman and Englishman.
She stayed at the port for four days to provide some rest and relaxation for her 154 crew members, and left on Sunday, March 19. A spokesperson for Associated British Ports confirmed the news, adding: "[HNLMS Van Amstel] is a frigate in the Karel Doorman class in service since 1990. She was involved in the Dutch response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in New Orleans."
Karel Doorman class frigates are 122 metres long, weighing 3320 tons and reaching speeds of 30 knots (56 km/h) according to seaforces.org. Other ships that have visited Cardiff in recent months include HMCS Montréal, a Royal Canadian Navy ship which docked in Cardiff Bay after taking part in exercise Silent Wolverine, and HMS Severn, which docked in the port as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in May 2022.
Cardiff is the preferred destination for Navy calls out of ABP's five south Wales ports as the dedicated berth (Britannia Quay) is close to Cardiff's leisure facilities. The Port of Cardiff, on the north side of the Severn Estuary, is one of 21 ABP ports in Britain, and ABP says it handles more than £400m of trade and 1.8m tonnes of cargo per year.
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