AKP Phnom Penh, February 03, 2025 --  

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ottawa (HMCS Ottawa) has been conducting a four-day visit to Cambodia to strengthen solidarity and friendship between the navies of both countries.

The HMCS Ottawa docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Preah Sihanouk province on Feb. 1, and was warmly welcomed by admiral Mean Savoeun, Deputy Commander of Ream Naval Base.

According to the Office of the Embassy of Canada to Cambodia’s press release AKP received on Sunday, as part of the port call, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) will be interacting with local counterparts to promote collaboration and friendship, including demonstrations, sporting events and community engagement outreach.

“As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodia plays an important role in maintaining regional stability. The visit of HMCS Ottawa helps to strengthen our relationship and reinforce our common commitment to a rules-based international order. As a Pacific nation, fostering strong ties with regional partners is a priority, and we are particularly keen to collaborate with Cambodia in the future,” said Commander Adriano Lozer, Commanding Officer, HMCS Ottawa.

Canada’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Ping Kitnikone, will host a reception on board the ship on Feb. 3: “This visit is another demonstration of the importance of Canada’s relationship with Cambodia and underlines a deepening engagement in ASEAN and in the Indo Pacific region.”

This ship visit is an opportunity to recognise the important partnerships Canada shares with Cambodia across all areas of cooperation.

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has a long history of deploying around the world both in peacetime and during conflicts. HMCS Ottawa left Canada on Oct. 16, 2024 to support both Operation HORIZON and Operation NEON. It sailed for the months of November and December in the East China Sea, visiting Japan and the Republic of Korea.

During that time, the ship identified and reported multiple oil tankers in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, as mandated for Operation NEON. It then continued South on Operation HORIZON, as Canada’s forward-presence mission to the Indo-Pacific region promoting peace, stability, and the rules-based international order. HMCS Ottawa started the year with a participation in the multinational exercise La Perouse 25 before visiting Indonesia and making its way to Cambodia.

The HMCS Ottawa is 134.7 metres long, 16.5 metres wide and 7.5 metres deep. It weighs 5,100 tonnes, can run at 30 knots of speed (one knot equals to 1.852 kilometre per hour), and embarks a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.

By Phal Sophanith