Embassy of the Netherlands in Singapore and Brunei

The Netherlands’ DPM and Defence Minister, Dilan Yesilgöz-Zegerius (), is in Singapore for the first time at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Together with the Chief of Defence, General Onno Eichelsheim (), they met with their counterparts from other countries, spoke at a panel session, and gave interviews with local and international media.

“Strong cooperation is not a choice, but a necessity. Only by working together do we ensure more security, stability and prosperity,” said .

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Did you know that Singapore’s first direct link with Europe was established more than 90 years ago today, on 3 May 1933? ✈️

– the Royal Dutch Airlines – flew twice a week between Amsterdam and Singapore and the flight took… 5 and a half days! 🌤️

On this day in history, KLM became the very first airline to offer a regular scheduled service to Singapore.

KLM’s early operations here put the region on the international aviation map, and sparked the “beginning of commercial civil aviation in Singapore.”

➡️ Swipe to see some interesting moments by KLM in Singapore’s aviation history!

In the photos:

1️⃣ Connecting Europe with Singapore - Promotional poster showcasing the first regular commercial flight service between Europe and Singapore.

2️⃣ A KLM Fokker F-18 with registration number PH-AIP ‘Pelikaan’ landing in Singapore at Seletar Airport in 1933, with passengers, (snail) mail, and fresh fruits.

3️⃣ KLM in Singapore in the 1930s.

4️⃣ KLM also has the title of the first airline to land at Kallang Airport in May 1937, when due to a tropical storm KLM was diverted to the more or less completed Kallang Airport. (The Airport was officially opened a few weeks later on 12 June 1937.)

5️⃣-6️⃣ Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek visited Seletar Airport in Singapore in 1984 to witness KLM’s re-enactment of the victorious flight of Dutch airplane, The Uiver, which won the London-Melbourne air race 50 years prior to that in 1934.

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Sources: KLM, and

📸 1-4 courtesy of ; 5 – 6 courtesy of

International trade depends on secure shipping corridors. 🚢

For maritime nations like the Netherlands and Singapore, safe and open sea lanes are essential to keeping global supply chains moving between Europe and Asia.

But shipowners continue to face threats at sea, including piracy and armed robbery against ships.

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia ISC) in Singapore plays a key role in this effort.

As the first multilateral initiative in Asia dedicated to combating piracy and armed robbery against ships, it provides a platform for countries and maritime stakeholders to share up-to-date information and coordinate responses.

We congratulate the ReCAAP ISC on its 20th anniversary milestone.

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𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀:

1️⃣ Amb. Anneke Adema with ReCAAP ISC’s Executive Director, Mr Vijay D Chafekar

2️⃣ Senior Minister of State, Mr Murali Pillai together with representatives from member countries at ReCAAP ISC’s anniversary symposium held yesterday on 13 March 2026

3️⃣ ReCAAP ISC Governor for the Netherlands, Mr Bastiaan Maltha, second from right, speaking at a panel on emerging maritime security threats

📷 Photos courtesy of ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre