Dutch frigate Evertsen sails for Middle East as Hormuz decision awaits

The Dutch air-defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen left Den Helder on Sunday 27 September for a planned absence of more than three months. It is heading to the Middle East to take over the duties of HNLMS De Ruyter, which has returned. The deployment preserves the option of joining an international mission in the Strait of Hormuz. [1] [2] [3]

Evertsen will first sail towards the Mediterranean, training along the way. The Dutch Defence Ministry says an international headquarters team is due to join the ship, allowing it to direct a naval group if the Hormuz mission begins. France and the UK lead the coalition. [1] [2]

Shipping through Hormuz remains heavily disrupted, although vessels are still crossing. Reuters reported nine tracked transits on 24 September, down from 14 the previous day; its figures exclude vessels sailing with transponders switched off. Lloyd’s List Intelligence recorded at least 92 non-Iranian-linked transits during 14–20 September, while warning that traffic showed no sign of a wider recovery. [5] [6]