The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MOD) and shipowner Spliethoff have signed an agreement covering two ConRo vessels from the Transfennica fleet.
- PLYCA will be available on an on-call basis from 20 January, with a 20-day notice period.
- TRICA will be permanently deployed for MOD use from 30 May.
Since 2022, the Dutch MOD has already chartered two RoRo vessels on 10-year contracts:
- NEW AMSTERDAM
- SOUTHERN ROCK (a smaller general cargo vessel with a RoRo ramp)
At MOD’s request, TRICA and PLYCA will each be fitted with a ship’s crane.
This allows independent loading and unloading, without reliance on shore facilities.
In addition, TRICA will be equipped with “fingers”.
These enable the loading ramp to be deployed in sections, allowing use at narrower quays.
Photo and source: Defensie (in Dutch)
