The vessel ‘El Camino Español’ ensures logistical support for contingents deployed in Turkey and Lebanon

• During its voyage, the ship made stops in Mersin and Beirut to deliver supplies and equipment to the missions

The Logistics Transport Ship (BTL in Spanish) “El Camino Español” (A-07) has docked, for the first time, at the Turkish naval base in Mersin. During its stay in port, the crew received a visit from personnel of the Spanish contingent deployed in Adana for Operation “Support to Turkey,” to whom supplies and equipment for the mission were delivered. They also spent the day with personnel from other Turkish ships docked in port.

Subsequently, the ship “El Camino Español” —under the command of commander Miguel Ángel Fernández Sastre— sailed towards Lebanon to finally dock in the capital Beirut and thus complete the support of the Spanish contingent —the Lebanon Brigade XLIV— deployed in southern Lebanon in Operation “Libre Hidalgo”, within the framework of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission.

The stay in Beirut was marked by a complex logistical operation, coordinated and executed by personnel from the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish), the Lebanon Brigade (BRILIB), the Logistics Support Center for Operations (CALOG-OP in Spanish), the Spanish Embassy in Lebanon, as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces, port services, and the ship's crew. Thanks to their work and commitment, safe cargo transfers from the "Miguel de Cervantes" Base were ensured and completed within the planned timeframe, allowing the ship to set sail and continue its voyage back to Spain.

Defense Diplomacy Activities

Furthermore, as part of diplomatic activities, the ship received a visit on board from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Lebanon, Jesús Ignacio Santos Aguado, as well as other authorities from the UNIFIL Maritime and Land Forces mission deployed in the area. Among them were the Spanish Defense Advisor and the commander of the Bangladesh Navy ship “BNS Sangram” (F-113).

In addition, as a secondary mission, "El Camino Español" has provided support associated with Operation "Sea Guardian" during transits through the Eastern Mediterranean.

BTL 'El Camino Español'

'El Camino Español' is a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) logistics ship, commissioned in January 2024 and operated by the Spanish Navy. Since its commissioning, its primary mission has been the logistical support of Spanish Army units based outside the Iberian Peninsula, as well as contingents deployed on operations. Among its many capabilities, it can reach a maximum speed of 22 knots and has the capacity to accommodate over 1,700 linear meters of roll-on/roll-off cargo and up to 300 TEU 20 containers on its three decks.