'Camino Español' provides logistical support for military operations in Turkey and Lebanon

• From Cartagena, the ship has set sail to provide logistical support to the Spanish contingents

The Logistics Transport Ship (BTL) the Camino Español is sailing across the Mediterranean on an international logistics voyage in support of Army units deployed on international missions in Türkiye and Lebanon.

This is the second mission of this type carried out by the ship during the current year, during which a large number of vehicles and general cargo containers are transported, thus providing essential logistical support to the Spanish contingents deployed in the NATO operations “Support to Türkiye” and “Libre Hidalgo”, within UNIFIL.

As in previous sailings, the deployment was preceded by intensive recruitment work, during which the ship acquired the necessary capabilities to ensure the safety and success of her logistics transport operation. On this occasion, and within these capabilities, the embarkation and integration of an operational security team (EOS) from the Tercio de Levante, as well as medical personnel and equipment for Role 1 level assistance, were included.

Before setting sail from her base in the port of Cartagena, the ship's major, Commander Miguel Ángel Fernández Sastre, emphasised that ‘this type of deployment highlights the strategic capability that the ship brings to the Operations Command, as well as the efforts of the crew behind the preparation and training necessary to ensure the success of the mission’.

On the other hand, the operational and international nature of this mission poses a greater challenge than the ship's normal logistical movements at the national level, ‘which is an added motivation. For all these reasons, we are approaching this deployment with the enormous enthusiasm that comes with serving Spain and the Spanish people, at sea and from the sea,’ added Major Fernández Sastre.

BTL 'Camino Español'

The Camino Español is a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) logistics vessel acquired by the Army in December 2023 and crewed by 52 men and women from the Navy. Her main mission is to provide logistical support to the Army's extra-peninsular units and contingents deployed in operations. It has the capacity to carry more than 1,700 linear metres of roll-on cargo and up to 300 TEU 20" containers on her three decks, and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 22 knots.