The HMS Spey (P234) has docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Preah Sihanouk province on its five-day maiden visit to Cambodia. The UK’s Royal Navy vessel is scheduled to conduct joint exercises on vessel damage control with the Cambodian Navy.

According to the Ministry of National Defence, HMS Spey has a length of 90.4m and a beam of 13.4m. The offshore patrol vessel docked on February 13 and will depart on February 17. The visit aims to strengthen friendship and security cooperation between Cambodia and the UK.

The ministry said the two navies were scheduled to conduct joint exercises to extinguish fires and control flooding aboard ships. A number of sporting competitions have also been arranged.

Vice Admiral Ouk Seyha welcomed the Royal Navy and met with Commander Michael Proudman, HMS Spey’s Commanding Officer.

Seyha said this was the first time that HMS Spey has docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.

Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the visit demonstrated the government’s efforts to diversify diplomacy and enhance security cooperation with various countries.

He added that the visit also provided evidence of Cambodia’s transparency, so the Kingdom could not be accused of hosting the Chinese military.

“Cambodia-UK relations have made positive and marked progress. Cooperative relations with the UK are of great significance because of its influence in the European sphere. The UK is also a major donor to Cambodia in the fields of environmental protection and human resource development. It is also a large potential trade market for the Kingdom,” he continued.