On 5 June, the Dutch Ministry of Defence commissioned an additional transport ship. This Spliethoff vessel, known as the Trica, is capable of transporting containers, vehicles and helicopters.
The Trica enables the Ministry of Defence to send more equipment abroad. This is important should a major conflict break out or if exercises are conducted outside the country’s borders. This is currently being done by Defence Helicopter Command in England.
The ship will therefore be deployed for the first time to transport vehicles and containers to the port of Teesport in England. During the exercise, helicopter pilots will practise, among other things, flying low in the face of radar threats and electronic warfare. These are important skills for staying safe in dangerous situations. By flying low and using the landscape as cover, pilots are able to protect themselves whilst still carrying out their mission.
Also read: Dutch Defence gains transport ships from Spliethoff
Increased operational capability
In this case, the transport ship is sailing to England with equipment for an exercise. As far as Brigadier General Laurens Jobse is concerned, the Ministry of Defence is also increasing its operational capability by bringing the permanently deployable Trica into service.
‘We can use it to deliver equipment to any port worldwide,’ states Jobse. And that is a task of the Defence Support Command, to which Jobse belongs.
Also read: Dutch MoD charters three Wagenborg LoLo vessels
Spliethoff vessels
The Trica and sister ship Plyca are being supplied to the Dutch Ministry of Defence by Dutch shipping company Spliethoff. The contracts for the ships were signed in December. It was agreed that the Trica would operate permanently for Defence from its handover on 30 May. Plyca has been available on call from 20 January 2026, with a notice period of twenty days.
The vessels are container and roll-on/roll-off (ConRo) vessels. Each ConRo vessel can transport up to 300 vehicles, 694 containers, or a combination of both.
Picture: The empty deck of the Trica (photo by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
