[1][2] Naval ships in the Caribbean perform a series of policing tasks involving drug smuggling and fisheries protection, along with providing search-and-rescue and disaster and humanitarian relief.

[1][a] The ship is powered by two Caterpillar 3516 BTA diesel engines creating 3,000 kilowatts (4,000 bhp) turning two fixed-pitch propellers with a maximum speed of 14.5 knots (26.9 km/h; 16.7 mph).

The area, serviced by a large electro-hydraulic deck crane forward, can be used for amphibious operations, with space for six rigid inflatable boats, four trucks and support equipment.

[4] The Royal Netherlands Navy placed an order with Damen Shipbuilding for a replacement for the existing logistic support vessel operating in the Caribbean, HNLMS Pelikaan (A801), on 10 January 2005.

[2] The vessel's hull was constructed at the Damen shipyard in Galați, Romania with the keel laid down on 25 August 2005 and launched on 7 February 2006.

[10][11] In January 2018, the Royal Netherlands Navy contracted COTECMAR to carry out maintenance work for the ship at their yard in Cartagena, Colombia.