A Dutch frigate leaked around 4,000 liters of lubricating oil into the ocean over the past month, the country’s defense ministry has confirmed.
The lead ship of its class, air defense frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën (F802) lost the oil in the Baltic Sea, among other places, while on a deployment with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1).
The ship has also been the flagship of the group since March this year, leading other ships from Germany, Canada, and France, on several international maneuvers. The Netherlands will command the maritime task group throughout 2022, with Commander Ad van de Sande in charge.
The defense ministry explained that the oil leaked out in small doses in phases, which is why the leak was not immediately noticed. The crew identified the leak only after the ship lost a significant amount of oil, it was explained.
According to the defense ministry, the leak has been fixed and the frigate is now in Lisbon for a port visit.
